Warren Man Charged with Practicing Medicine Without License

Gilles DesGachons, 52, of Mt. Bethel Road, has been charged with practicing medicine without a license, Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Detectives Stuart Buckman and Watchung Chief of Police Timothy J. Wenzel announced today.

The charge follows an investigation launched Dec. 19, 2011, after the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs State Board of Medical Examiners received a complaint from a former patient, identified by the initials "J.C.". The board notified Prosecutor Soriano, and detectives assigned to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit investgated the complaint that  Dr. DesGachons provided laser hair removal treatments at Advanced Medical Laser, 55 Mountain Blvd., between January 2010 and May 2011. As a result of this information, the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners conducted a search of their records and concluded that defendant DesGachons did not possess a New Jersey Medical License. 

A search was also conducted by the Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling that also revealed that he was not licensed with that board and was not permitted to practice as a cosmetologist, manicurist or skin care specialist within New Jersey.

Undercover investigators from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs State Board of Medical Examiners scheduled a consultation with DesGachons and met with him on Dec. 13, 2011, at which time he introduced himself as "Dr. Gil" and explained several procedures that he could perform including laser hair removal, Botox injections and hialuronic acid injections. 

DesGachons allegedly indicated anesthesia may also be used during some of the procedures performed by him in his office, and the investigator saw an examination table and medical equipment during the office visit.  The investigator subsequently scheduled a second appointment with DesGachons for laser hair removal and to have Botox injections on Feb. 27, and was notified on Feb. 24 that the practice had relocated to 786 Mountain Blvd. in Watchung.

A consultation with DesGachons was also scheduled for an undercover detective from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office for Feb. 27.

Detectives conducted a search of DesGachons' offices Monday, after a detective with the Prosecutor's Office met with him and discussed procedures for Botox injections and laser hair removal. The search resulted in the seizure of drugs such as Effervescent Codeine, Lidocaine vials, Botox vials, syringes and a scalpel. 

DesGachons was subsequently arrested and charged with Practicing Medicine without a License, a third degree offense.  Bail for defendant DesGachons was set by the Honorable Paul W. Armstrong, J.S.C., at $20,000.00 with a 10 percent option.