State officials called it “reprehensible.”
“Unbelievable.”
“Irresponsible and illogical.”
Even Gov. Phil Murphy called it “shocking and offensive.”
Elected officials in Trenton were outraged after a chiropractor — who is also a convicted sex offender — was allowed to keep his state-approved license to practice in New Jersey.
In 2022, those leaders passed a law to ensure it would never happen again after a series of stories by NJ Advance Media.
Three years later, 35 convicted sex offenders, including Bryan Bajakian — the chiropractor who ignited the firestorm — have been stopped under the law from practicing in New Jersey, according to state data.
The measure banned all state boards that regulate health care professions from reinstating, reactivating or renewing a license, or granting a new one, to people convicted of certain sexual crimes. Those crimes include sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, lewdness, endangering the welfare of a child and attempting to lure or entice a child.
Eight people were denied license renewals because of “disqualifying convictions.”
- Paul Reses, a pharmacist in Linwood
- Raymond D. Reiter, a Franklin Lakes orthopedist
- Scott White, a chiropractor in Point Pleasant Beach
- Bryan K. Bajakian, a chiropractor in Paramus
- Joseph S. Hanna, a Toms River dentist
- Frederick M. Baker, a dentist in Parsippany
- Mohammad Z. Dahhan, an internist in Paterson
- Robin S. Brown, a licensed practical nurse whose practice location could not be confirmed
Two people were denied the reinstatement of their licenses.
- Jose A. DeJesus, a registered nurse whose practice location is unknown
- Faroq Rehman, a medical doctor in Old Bridge
Three people applied for licenses for the first time, but were denied under the law. No locations were provided in state records because they never practiced in the state.
- Matthew J. Muench, a certified homemaker/home health aide
- Luis Arocho, a pharmacy technician
- Michael Leroy Ortiz, a licensed social worker
The licenses of nine other practitioners are currently revoked, suspended or voluntarily surrendered in connection with “disciplinary matters.” If they ask for reinstatement, they would be denied under the law, according to the Division of Consumer Affairs, which oversees the state boards.
- Amundson C. Williams, licensed practical nurse in Sayreville
- Michael Tyshkov, a pediatric gastroenterologist in Summit
- Chikezie J. Aguh, a gynecologist in Matawan
- Oscar Arnaldo Padilla, a New Brunswick registered nurse
- Karen Fortune, a registered nurse in Woodbridge
- Raja K. Jagtiani, a medical doctor in Bergenfield
- Elijah P. Williams, a certified homemaker/home health aide in Robbinsville
- Rose Stanley, a Franklin Township certified homemaker/home health aide
- Jeff Banatte, a registered nurse in Irvington
The state said 11 other license holders reported on their renewal applications that they had disqualifying convictions. When the boards asked for more information, they did not respond, so the licenses expired.
Consumer Affairs said it is not naming those people because the boards did not take formal action.
Two others with convictions allowed their licenses to expire, so the boards did not need to take action. If the practitioners — who were also not named because the boards have not taken action— try to renew their licenses, they would be denied.
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NJ Advance Media Research Editor Vinessa Erminio contributed to this report.