Maine

Each state has its own set of statutes and regulations on licensing doctors, accommodating patients who wish to file complaints, and releasing information about physicians who have been subject to discipline and legal action. On this page, we’re sharing the key findings regarding Maine, which we will continue to update as the series progresses.

Key fact: The board told the Portland Press Herald in March that its informal practice is to decide each complaint on its own merits, without considering past disciplinary actions against a doctor. Critics said that can allow dangerous doctors to continue to practice.

Researching a doctor

  • Accurate records of sexual abuse accusations against doctors are not always easily accessible. In Maine, the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine and the Maine Board of Osteopathic Licensure regulate medical professionals. Actions issued by both boards can be found on the same website. Please note that license search results typically include all public disciplinary actions, not just those involving sexual misconduct, and can sometimes include vague language. Also, some states deal with some disciplinary issues privately; private board orders are not included. Maine removes deceased physicians from its listing of adverse licensing actions.

Where to file a complaint

Quoted

 

''[The doctor] acknowledged that the sexual relationship with Patient A was wrong and stated that he immediately wanted to self-report his conduct to the Board but was advised not to do so by a prior attorney, two counselors, and another physician."

— Statement of facts in the state board’s 2015 order placing a doctor on probation.

Highlighted case

Dr. Juan C. Lazaro

After the doctor’s license was revoked in Florida for inappropriate prescribing practices, he began practicing in Maine, specializing in treatment of chronic pain and substance abuse. Shortly after he began that practice, board orders show Lazaro engaged in sexual misconduct with three female patients: He told each to come to his office late in the evening with $100 cash. He then asked each to remove part or all of their clothing, asked inappropriate questions about their sexual experiences, and under the guise of practicing medicine fondled their breasts or rubbed up against or touched their genitals.

In 2005, he pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual contact with patients.

“In light of the nature of his criminal convictions for unlawful sexual contact…the Board reasonably concludes that it was Dr. Lazaro’s conscious object to touch the genitals of three female patients in order to arouse or gratify his sexual desires or in order to offend them,” the board said in revoking his license.

Lazaro also pleaded guilty to theft by deception involving a state program for low-income patients.

Numerous efforts to contact Lazaro by phone were unsuccessful.

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