A notorious celebrity cosmetic surgeon known as ‘Dr Skin’ is being prosecuted for claiming to be a medical professional – the latest twist in a career littered with allegations of botched surgeries.
Over Cynthia Weinstein’s long career, she’s been the subject of several complaints – including complaints from pateints that her surgical work led to disfigurements, facial asymmetry, visible sutures under the skin, laser burns, permanent disabilities and infections.
After a decade battling the authorities, in 2010 she voluntarily cancelled her medical registration. But late last year, Channel Nine aired allegations that Ms Weinstein was back in business, practicing at a medical clinic in Armadale.
On Tuesday the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency announced it was prosecuting Ms Weinstein and the clinic she runs. Ms Weinstein has been charged with 14 counts of claiming to be a registered medical practitioner.
On Tuesday, Fairfax Media confirmed Ms Weinstein is still working at the CDC Clinic in Armadale.
A receptionist told Fairfax Media, Ms Weinstein was employed as business manager, and could consult on cosmetic procedures but could not carry them out as “she is not a doctor”.
Back in 2010, Ms Weinstein, once considered one of Melbourne’s most talented cosmetic surgeons, fronted the Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria over her alleged treatment of six patients.
One was left with significant “facial asymmetry”, swelling and “extensive puckering” of the skin.
The Board alleged Ms Weinstein did not dispose of needles safely, reused needles on different patients, and failed to correctly cover the eyes of a patient while applying laser treatment, resulting in the patient’s corneas being eroded.
One nurse complained of being asked to clean tissue, blood and skin from a rolling device containing tiny needles by hand, after it had been used on a patient with hepatitis B. The nurse accidentally pricked herself while cleaning the device.
Before the divorce, Ms Weinstein and Mr Segan shared a clinic in East Melbourne.
After initially fighting those allegations, Ms Weinstein eventually voluntarily gave up her registration.
Even earlier, in 2000, Ms Weinstein was found guilty of serious professional misconduct over work that left two patients disfigured and banned from conducting most invasive surgical procedures. In 2004, she was convicted for defrauding Medicare.
The maximum penalty for the offences Ms Weinstein has been charged with is $30,000 for an individual and $60,000 for a corporation.
The charges against Ms Weinstein and CDC Clinics Pty Ltd will be heard in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 20 January 2016.
Fairfax Media attempted to contact Ms Weinstein through the CDC Clinic.