Surya only signed off on forms, didn’t see applicants.
An Indian American physician from Hyde Park, New York, Dr. Gerald Surya, has admitted to falsely certifying physical exams for commercial driver’s license applicants, authorities said.
Surya, 47, signed off on forms claiming he had examined prospective heavy commercial vehicle drivers and found them to physically fit when he had not actually examined them, authorities said.
As set forth in the complaint, drivers of certain commercial vehicles, such as school buses and heavy transportation trucks, must possess a CDL, issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), pursuant to regulations set forth by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), according to the Justice Department.
Before obtaining a CDL, all applicants must pass written and road tests related to safely driving such large vehicles. In addition, the applicants must be examined and certified fit to drive such vehicles by a physician or other qualified medical personnel authorized by the USDOT to conduct such examinations. Upon receipt of the certification, the applicant must file a copy with the DMV. Further, on a monthly basis, USDOT certified medical examiners are required to electronically transmit to USDOT copies of certifications they have executed for CDL applicants.
Surya was authorized to conduct USDOT mandated medical examinations and certifications for CDL applicants and purportedly performed such examinations at his JFK Medport office, located at JFK airport in Queens, New York. In fact, the applicants were not examined by him, but instead by other JFK Medport staff members who had little or no medical training and were not authorized to conduct the mandated medical examinations.
“Dr. Surya’s conduct put at risk pedestrians as well as other drivers. We are committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting those who would commit crimes that compromise the safety of the public,” stated Acting United States Attorney Currie.