Fake DOT Exam Certifications Issued by Medical Examiner

A medical examiner in Atlanta, George was recently arrested and charged by federal investigators for issuing fake DOT exam certifications. These fake DOT exam certifications were issued without performing a full medical exam. Unfortunately, “Dr. Anthony Lefteris, who operated out of an Atlanta-area Petro truck stop, could have issued certifications to thousands of truck drivers.”

Truckers affected by the issuing of these fake DOT exam certifications will be notified via mail and will have to be “re-certified within 30 days.” To prevent future issues, the DOT “has added a note to Lefteris’ listing in the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners telling drivers not to schedule appointments with him.” Lefteris is not certified to perform exams any longer.

Up to 8,000 Drivers May be Holding Fake DOT Exam Certifications, Sources Say

Since 2014, Lefteris may have issued 8,000 certifications. These numbers are based on the “average number of certifications prosececutors allege Lefteris issued per month.” Unlike most examiners who perform around 13 to 14 exams per month, Lefteris has performed exams for nearly 360 truck operators.

Arrested on December 1, Lefteris has obtained a public defender and has not yet made a plea for the case. “Charges against him include eight counts of false writing/documentation of the DOT’s exam forms and false entry into DOT records with the intend to impede and influence.”

Uncovering Fake DOT Exam Certifications

Since September “officers from the U.S. DOT and the U.S. Department of Justice began investigating Lefteris…following a written statement from a driver who said Lefteris gave him a medical certification but didn’t perform any tests or examination procedures, even after the driver told him he had previously been diagnosed with high blood pressure.”

Three undercover officers took to the investigation. All officers hold a Georgia-issued CDL and visited Lefteris’ office where he “granted the officers medical certification without performing all tests required, according to a sworn affidavit submitted by the officers. Lefteris failed to perform vision and hearing tests, urinalysis, blood pressure check or heart rate test, officers allege.” What’s even worse is that Lefteris filled out, and uploaded to the DOT, forms containing false numbers in fields meant for tests not performed, including urinalysis, vision, hearing, pulse as well as others.

These tests rule out “underlying medical problems that impact a driver’s ability to drive safely.” Fake DOT exam certifications are unsafe for everyone. Ensuring that drivers are healthy and drug-free is essential to creating safe roads.

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source: Med examiner who cleared thousands of truckers charged with issuing fake certifications