Little Rock physician accused of Medicaid fraud, sexual misconduct faces medical board hearing
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The Arkansas State Medical Board suspended two physicians’ licenses and postponed a hearing regarding allegations against a third doctor during a special meeting Wednesday.
Board members did not name the three doctors, but Meg Mirivel, spokeswoman for the Arkansas Department of Health, confirmed the doctor facing a hearing is Little Rock gastroenterologist Dr. Alonzo Williams, who also faces Medicaid fraud allegations.
One of the two recipients of a license suspension is based in another state, while the other and Williams have both been accused of sexual misconduct, board members said.
Arkansas law allows the state medical board to issue an emergency suspension of a physician’s license “if the Board receives information indicating that the public health, safety, or welfare requires emergency action.”
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Eleven of the 14 board members were present, and they voted on the license suspensions with no dissent. The board has not suspended Williams’ license.
In response to a complaint, the board voted in October to start an investigation into Williams over his use of prescription drugs for patients’ pain management, according to meeting minutes. The board voted in April to schedule Williams’ hearing for June.
Williams’ attorney asked the board Wednesday for a two-month continuance because the expert witnesses that could testify on Williams’ behalf will be unavailable on the scheduled June date, said board chairman Dr. Edward “Ward” Gardner.
Allowing witnesses to testify would reduce the chance of “reversible error” if Williams appeals any decision the board makes after the hearing, said Julie Chavis, the board’s legal counsel who works for the state attorney general’s office.
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While the board voted with no dissent to grant the continuance, board members Elizabeth Anderson and Dr. Michael Birrer suggested suspending Williams’ license at least until the hearing due to the sexual misconduct allegations against him.
Gardner said he reluctantly supported postponing the hearing until August.
“The way I look at this is putting our best foot forward, and if another two months puts our best foot forward, so be it,” he said.
Chavis said she would make Williams’ attorney aware that the board did not wholeheartedly support the continuance “and that the August hearing is 100% set in cement.”
Board member Dr. Brian McGee, also a Little Rock gastroenterologist, recused himself from the discussion and vote. McGee has done the same at previous board meetings where complaints against Williams were discussed, according to meeting minutes.
Williams has been under investigation for Medicaid fraud by the state inspector general since March. All payments have been suspended for Medicaid services provided by him and his offices, the Arkansas Diagnostic Center and the Gastroenterology and Surgery Center.
The Office of Medicaid Inspector General is investigating allegations that Williams “performed certain procedures that were not medically necessary, failed to adequately assess certain beneficiaries before invasive procedures, and billed for services not rendered,” according to the office’s letter to Williams’ clinics.
Williams also faces a civil lawsuit in Pulaski County Circuit Court from employees accusing him of sexual misconduct. Jordana Gardner, the sole named plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit, alleged in her April 23 complaint that she was paid less than other medical assistants because she was not “forced to have a quid pro quo sexual relationship with Dr. Williams” as her fellow assistants were, according to court documents.
The plaintiff, who is Black and no longer works for Williams, also claimed he paid her and other Black employees less than white employees and did not fulfill a promise to raise their pay.
A court hearing has not yet been scheduled in the case.
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