RI Contract Is $740K for 3 Years for Doctor Who Lost License for Masturbating In Front of Children
Saturday, October 31, 2020
On Thursday, GoLocal was first to report that the newly appointed Chief of Medical Services at the Rhode Island state hospital system was previously arrested for repeatedly exposing himself and masturbating in front of children.
And, that the State of Rhode Island has put that doctor, Dr. Andrew Stone, in charge of the most vulnerable population in the state’s care. These patients are served at two locations -- Eleanor Slater in Cranston and the Zambarano facility in Burrillville.
Now, GoLocal has found that his three-year contract with the State of Rhode Island pays Stone $240,000 annually and expenses of an additional $24,000 yearly.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTMoreover, there is a curious handwritten provision in the agreement.
“Total payment for services to be provided under this Agreement shall not exceed the total budget as detailed in ADDENDUM II. Expenditures exceeding budget line-item categories by ten percent (10%) shall not be authorized unless prior written approval is first obtained,” states the agreement.
In total, Stone could earn from the State of Rhode Island a total of $792,000 over the time period.
Cannot Treat Those Under 18
A condition of Stone's license being reinstated is that he is permanently barred from treating children.
The order to reinstate Stone included numerous conditions, including “That the Petitioner's practice shall be limited to adults. He shall not treat or consult with any patient under eighteen (18) years of age.”
Handwritten on Stone’s contract is a statement that says Stone will not treat patients under 18 years of age. Daly is not a signatory to the agreement. It is unclear when the provision was added into his agreement or who added it.
There is no other reference to his license being suspended or the provisions of his reinstatement in the 51-page agreement.
License Suspended for 5 Years
In 2006, the Rhode Island Department of Health suspended Stone's license for five years and the then-Director of Health David Gifford wrote in his order “Director of Health has determined that the continued practice of Andrew C. Stone, M.D. would constitute an immediate danger to the public.”
According to the RI Department of Health’s order issued, “The Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline, received complaints that alleged that Andrew C. Stone, M.D. exposed himself and touched himself inappropriately in front of young boys in the Seekonk, Massachusetts YMCA. The Board conducted a review of the evidence provided by the Seekonk, MA and Barrington, RI police departments. The Board has determined that this is not the first incident of this nature and has referred the matter to the Director of Health for further consideration.”
The agency hiring Stone, Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals defend’s Stone’s hiring. “As the State Mental Health Authority, BHDDH believes in and promotes rehabilitation and recovery for all Rhode Islanders. When Dr. Stone applied for a job with us in 2018, ample evidence suggested he was ready, and his service over the last two years has demonstrated his continued readiness and expertise to effectively deliver high-quality care to patients at ESH,” said the agency is a statement.
In February of 2015, the RI Department of Health reinstated Stone’s license.
The reinstatement order stated “The Petitioner has been successfully treated and evaluated by two distinguished medical experts specializing in the treatment of sexual compulsion disorders; John P. Wincze, Ph.D., and Fabian M. Saleh, M.D., D.F.A.P.A., both of whom have found that the Petitioner's disorder is in 'full remission,' and that he is fit to return to practice medicine. Both have recommended his readmission ( "In Full remission" L, defined in the DSM Vas, "The individual has not acted on the urges with a nonconsenting person, and there has been no distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning, for at least 5 years while in an uncontrolled environment."
BHDDH told GoLocal in the statement, "Dr. Stone is highly regarded for his work at Eleanor Slater Hospital and other hospitals. Dr. Stone is triple board certified — in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine and addiction medicine. To be hired at ESH, he had to be credentialed by the hospital’s Medical Executive Committee, which is a requirement under various licensing and oversight agencies, such as the Joint Commission and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The committee vote was unanimous. Dr. Stone maintains an active medical license , which requires extensive vetting and re-credentialing every two years."
