Toothpick 'acupuncture' brings charges

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NILES, Ill., May 25 (UPI) -- Illinois police say a fake doctor who performed acupuncture with toothpicks and gave out expired pills faces charges of practicing medicine without a license.

George Fleming, 61, of Skokie, who does not have a license to practice medicine in Illinois, was arrested May 18 for allegedly performing the toothpick acupuncture April 23 on a man at a Niles clinic, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Wednesday.

Police said the victim saw an advertisement for the phony physician's medical services in a Bulgarian-language newspaper.

The clinic was closed at the time the patient was treated by Fleming there, police said.

Fleming allegedly put toothpicks in the patient's chest and gave him pills labeled "Prosperous Farmer Dietary Supplements" in a bottle with a label stating the pills expired February 2002.

Police said when the victim and his son called the clinic April 26, an employee told them she didn't know who the doctor was.

The father and son then went to the clinic and saw Fleming, who fled, police said.

Investigators said Fleming voluntarily came to the Niles Police Department and during an interview admitted to practicing medicine without a license.

Fleming could face a possible three-year sentence and fine of $25,000 if convicted, police said.