Various violations prompt state action
By Owen Boss
Staff Writer
The state's Division of Professional Licensure has suspended the credentials of several area businesspeople, as a result of disciplinary action taken by the boards that govern them.
According to the report, the state Board of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons suspended the real estate broker's license granted to Calvin R. Bridges, of South Hadley, for 21 days, following allegations that he falsely reported to the board he had never been convicted of a criminal offense.
Jason Lefferts, a spokesman for the Division of Professional Licensure, said suspensions are routine when a broker is found in violation of a board policy.
"Whenever a real estate broker fills out an application or renews their license every two years, there is a question on the form where they need to tell the board whether or not they had been convicted of any criminal offense," Lefferts said. "Apparently, the board felt Bridges didn't answer that question truthfully."
Bridges, who works in a Century 21 office on Front Street in Chicopee, did not immediately return messages left on his cell phone Tuesday.
The State Board of Chiropractors placed Greenfield chiropractor Jeffrey Denney on probation for three years after the board concluded that he violated record-keeping and billing regulations.
"The violation refers to the medical records they keep on their patients, and the reason they need to keep close tabs on those records is because if there is a conflict with the insurance company, those records need to accurately show the number of visits and treatments," Lefferts said. "If a chiropractor is not keeping great records, we will make sure they correct that."
As a condition of the probation, Denney's practice will be monitored by a board-approved clinical monitor, and he must complete 36 hours of continuing education and pay a $200 fine, Lefferts said.
Calls to Denney at his Mohawk Trail office were not immediately returned Tuesday.
Other area businessmen listed in the report included Luis A. Castillo, of Springfield, who voluntarily surrendered his license to practice as a real estate broker for a minimum of five years after facing allegations he held and accessed client funds while still a licensed real estate salesman, held himself out as a real estate broker while still a salesperson, commingled client funds with his own, failed to maintain escrow funds once he became a real estate broker and failed to account for and remit monies belonging to his clients.
Also, Andrew Perrier, a Holyoke plumber, agreed to a $200 fine and a formal reprimand on his license to practice as a journeyman plumber, following allegations of defective workmanship and failure to correct problems cited by the Agawam plumbing inspector.
Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.
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