By: Richard L. Smith
An East Orange health center owner has admitted to illegally providing medical services without a license and billing insurers and New Jersey’s Medicaid program for the care, state authorities announced.
According to information released by New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor, 63-year-old East Orange resident Esney Davis-Sharpe pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Michael Ravin to second-degree health care claims fraud, third-degree Medicaid fraud and third-degree unlicensed practice of medicine.
Davis-Sharpe owned and operated Bessie Mae Women’s Health Center, an East Orange practice that offered women’s and family health services, including obstetrics and gynecology, primary care and family care.
State officials said Davis-Sharpe admitted in court that although she did not have a medical license, she performed gynecological services on patients at the facility.
Authorities said she also acknowledged submitting insurance claims under the names of licensed physicians for services she personally provided without being licensed. Similar claims were submitted to the New Jersey Medicaid Program using the names of licensed doctors, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General Davenport said the conduct not only defrauded Medicaid but raised concerns about patient safety and the public’s ability to trust that medical providers are properly licensed.
The investigation began after the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs referred allegations involving the unlicensed practice of medicine to the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor in August 2023.
In January 2024, the New Jersey Department of Health issued Davis-Sharpe a cease-and-desist order directing Bessie Mae to stop providing services at the facility.
Under the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend four years of probation, conditioned on Davis-Sharpe serving 180 days in jail.
She would also be prohibited from owning or operating a clinic or medical facility with patients or serving as its chief executive or chief financial officer.
Davis-Sharpe is scheduled to be sentenced October 5, 2026.