Crime & Safety

State Says: Short Hills Man Stole Dentist's Identity

Authorities said a dentist who was banned from practicing stole the identity of a deceased dentist and continued to treat patients, including in West Orange, before he was arrested this week.

 

A Short Hills dentist, who was banned from practicing, used the identity of a dead dentist to work out of four dental offices for the last year, including one in West Orange, according to the state Attorney General.

Authorities said Roben Brookhim stole the identity of Dr. John Kirkland Jr., who died last year of natural causes.  Brookhim had been banned from practicing dentistry in 2004 for insurance fraud. He learned that the day before Kirkland died, on Oct. 14, 2011 Kirkland's license had been renewed for two more years.

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After Kirkland died, Brookhim resumed practicing at Associated Dental in New Providence, West Orange and Springfield, as well as a Family Dental Center office in West New York under Kirkland's name and license. 

The relationships between Brookhim, Kirkland and the owners of the dentist offices is still under investigation.

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Authorities said Brookhim was arrested Tuesday, Oct. 2 and charged with the unlicensed practice of dentistry, identity theft and healthcare claims fraud. He is being held at Union County Jail with a bail of $75,000.

The Union County Prosecutor's Office, state Division of Consumer Affairs and New Providence Police Department led the investigation. 


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