August 25, 2004

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has summarily suspended the chiropractic license of Sami Y. Makhoul, D.C., due to his felony conviction in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan.

Makhoul failed to report his conviction to MDCH as required by the Public Health Code. On September 23, 2002, Makhoul pled guilty to Filing a False Tax Return based on his failure to declare payments for patients’ outstanding medical expenses as taxable income.

Makhoul was placed on probation, with terms, for a period of two years, and ordered to pay fees, restitution, and fines totaling $37,755.00.

On April 29, 2004, the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, issued an amended judgment in the case based on Makhoul’s failure to comply with the terms of his probation. As a result, Makhoul’s probation was revoked and he was sentenced to one day imprisonment, with credit for time served.

Makhoul was placed on supervised release which required, in part, that Makhoul be placed in a Community Correction facility for 180 days and pay additional restitution in the amount of $2,795.00.

On August 17, 2004, MDCH issued an order immediately suspending Makhoul’s license pursuant to the Public Health Code which provides for the mandatory summary suspension of a health professional’s license upon the conviction of a felony.

An administrative hearing will be scheduled to address the status of Makhoul’s chiropractic license. For more information on disciplinary actions taken by the health professional licensing boards within MDCH, please go to http://www.michigan.gov/mdch, and click on Health Systems and Licensing.