Wurzweiler Graduate Under Investigation, Charged with Multiple Offenses

A Paramus social worker and graduate of Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work, who counseled clients about weight loss and alcoholism, has temporarily given up his license after New Jersey officials claimed he milked insurers out of more than $60,000, pretended to hold a doctoral degree, and allowed employees to hand out the diet-drug combination fen-phen.

Arthur R. Dinkel Jr., owner of Integrated Psychotherapy Institute Inc. and Integrated Health Systems Inc., faces an eleven-count complaint from the New Jersey State Attorney General. The complaint states that Dinkel routinely misrepresented himself as “Dr. Dinkel,” possessing a doctorate in social work or psychology, although his highest academic credential is a master’s in social work obtained from Yeshiva.

The state Board of Social Work Examiners, which licenses social workers, issued a statement saying Dinkel agreed not to practice, pending a full hearing on the charges, and was allowed three weeks to transfer patients.

Daniel Shapiro, Dinkel’s attorney, said the license suspension would take effect February 9th. “We will meet the charges head on,” the lawyer clamored. Although a hearing date has not been set, Shapiro maintains that Dinkel completed the course work for his doctorate but did not finish his dissertation.

Dinkel is alleged to have used the names and drug-registration numbers of two doctors who temporarily worked for him as independent contractors. He is accused of using the data to set up accounts with pharmaceutical companies so he could receive prescription drugs. These included thousands of tablets of phentermine and Pondimin, popularly known as fen-phen, the complaint says. Dinkel then allegedly allowed his secretary to dispense the drugs to patients.

The complaint further charges that Dinkel also allegedly used the name of a third doctor, Anthony Scimone, to bill insurance companies for services never provided. Scimone and the two other doctors “were completely unaware of Dinkel’s actions, and are not under suspicion,” said Jennifer Salvato, a spokeswoman for the state Division of Consumer Affairs.

“We are always concerned when we learn that controlled dangerous substances are allegedly being dispensed by unauthorized individuals,” said Mark Herr, consumer affairs commissioner. Last year a jury in Mississippi found that those who used the diet-drug cocktail increased their risk of heart and lung damage. In addition, Dinkel is charged with hiring six women who were past or present clients, a violation of professional standards. He also allowed at least four unlicensed staff members to provide social-work services, the complaint concludes.