Prosecutors: Staten Island Man Pretended To Be A Doctor For 3 Years, Treated More Than 100 Patients

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - A Staten Island man pretended to be a clinical psychologist for about three years when he had no such qualifications, prosecutors said.

As CBS2's Ilana Gold reported, prosecutors Donald R. Lee-Edwards allegedly ran a practice out of his home and treated more than 100 patients, took blood and urine samples, interpreted lab results and prescribed anti-depressants.

Police said Lee-Edwards, 43, had no license to practice medicine of any kind, but convinced his patients otherwise.

"This so-called 'doctor' is a dangerous scam artist who never completed any medical school or doctoral program. He merely bestowed upon himself the professional titles of clinical psychologist and medical doctor; he is neither trained nor licensed to provide any mental health or medical services," said Acting District Attorney Daniel L. Master Jr. "He posed a grave threat to the public and I am asking that anyone who was seen by 'Dr.' Donald Lee-Edwards to please contact my office."

Anyone who was treated by Lee-Edwards is asked to contact authorities at (718) 556-7161.

WEB EXTRA: Read the indictment (.pdf)

Patients thought Lee-Edwards was legitimate, including Kim Broadie, who said he saw Lee-Edwards a few weeks ago at his makeshift office in the Stapleton section of Staten Island.

"He's treating me for depression," Broadie said, adding that Lee-Edwards had prescribed him Zoloft.

Broadie even showed CBS2 the bottle of anti-depressants he had been prescribed. Authorities said Lee-Edwards would call in prescriptions to a pharmacy under another doctor's name undetected.

"When I saw the name, I thought it, you know, that's a little strange," Broadie said.

Investigators released pictures of the practice Lee-Edwards allegedly ran for three years out of the basement apartment, in a building authorities said he shared with his parents. Authorities said it was where he treated at least 100 patients and never took insurance – only a cash copay.

Police raided the office this week, and confiscated medical equipment, blood vials, and a doctor's badge.

"I've been here 11 years," Master said. "I've never seen anything like this."

Lee-Edwards claimed to have a Ph.D. and bragged of working "extensively with family members and victims of 9/11," according to officials.

His patients grew concerned about his credentials in part due to his unusual bedside manner, authorities said.

"The way he would meet with them in the first meeting, he would have them sit on the sofa with him. Sometimes he would ask highly personal questions," Master told 1010 WINS. "He would give and accept rides back and forth sometimes from the Staten Island Ferry. He would cook meals for his patients in some cases."

On Friday, CBS2 talked to the suspect's mother about the allegations. She said her son recently finished online classes to practice psychology.

As to whether he had a license, Valerie Lee said: "I don't know. I didn't ask. He's 43 years old. I don't ask people at that age if they have a license."

But police said Lee-Edwards' mother's claims are not true, and said he has absolutely no medical background. They said Lee-Edwards used to be a flight attendant and an eyebrow threader.

"I hope everything he does was legit and, I'm hoping he will be vindicated," Valerie Lee said.

Lee-Edwards faces a variety of charges, including criminal sale of controlled substances, identity theft, criminal impersonation and more. If convicted of the most serious charge - criminal sale of controlled substances - he faces up to five and a half years in prison.