MORENO VALLEY —  How do you know if a doctor is real or not?  If you are an investigator with the Medical Board of California, you go undercover and check things out for yourself.   That type of undercover work resulted in the arrest of Santiago Alvarez on June 20, 2013.  Alvarez is charged with practicing medicine without a license, along with grand theft by false pretenses.

Alvarez owned and operated LogiHealth and Rejuvenix Medical, LLC, both located in Moreno Valley.   He is a licensed respiratory care practitioner but presented himself as a naturopathic doctor “Board Certified in Anti-Aging Medicine,” none of which was true, according to investigators.

Alvarez provided Botox injections at both locations, which by law are required to be administered by a licensed physician, or a physician’s assistant or registered nurse under direct supervision of a licensed physician.  He also allegedly stole a DEA number and forged the signature of another licensed physician to obtain prescriptions.

“No one wants to be treated by someone who isn't qualified.  We put faith in our medical professionals," said Alan Barcelona, president of the California Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA).   CSLEA represents 7,000 public safety and consumer protection professionals who work for the state of California, including investigators with the Medical Board of California.  "It   seems of late, Medical Board investigators have had no shortage of work. Those who practice without a license put lives in danger.  I know our investigators are dedicated to putting a stop to this."