'Fake psychologist' faces hundreds of charges

The Age.
Written By Leonie Wood
July 21, 2009

A MELBOURNE man who has practised as a psychologist in two states
for more than a decade since migrating from Serbia is facing
hundreds of charges that he defrauded the Victorian WorkCover
Authority and Transport Accident Commission of about $1.3 million.

The case raises fresh concerns about the extent of background
checks conducted by professional registration boards before they
endorse new health practitioners in Australia.

Dusan Milosevic, 43, of St Albans, was remanded in custody
yesterday after a senior WorkCover investigator told the Melbourne
Magistrates Court that Milosevic's registrations as a professional
practitioner were based on apparently fake university credentials.

The court heard Milosevic was already facing 150 charges of
obtaining financial advantage by deception for invoices he
submitted to WorkCover for consultations purportedly done
when he was not in the country.

But WorkCover yesterday filed a further 173 charges relating to
$1.2 million of billed consultations since 2001. Late yesterday,
the TAC filed a total of 34 charges against Milosevic, also
alleging he obtained or attempted to obtain financial advantage
by deception.

It claims Milosevic has treated 24 TAC clients in 430 separate
consultations since 2003. The value of those consultations was
$55,000.

Ian Freckelton, SC, for WorkCover, opposed any extension to
Milosevic's bail conditions, telling magistrate William O'Day
that Milosevic "lives by deception" and the number of charges
and size of the alleged fraud was unparalleled for a professional
practitioner in Victoria.

"He is not to be trusted," Dr Freckelton said, adding that Medicare
also was investigating Milosevic and further charges were likely.

A senior WorkCover investigator told the court the University of
Belgrade had debunked Milosevic's long-held claim that in 1990 he
obtained a graduate diploma in behavioural and psychological
science and that he completed a master's course in 1995.

WorkCover investigator Jim Wason said the dean of the University
of Belgrade's faculty of education and another university official
had confirmed there was no record of Milosevic ever attending the
university. And, he said, the university had advised it did not
begin offering the master's course until 2004.

Milosevic sat in the front row of the court but did not say anything.
His lawyer, Manny Nicolosi, told the court his client was adamant
his qualifications were genuine. Mr Nicolosi said the charges would
"fall by the wayside" if Milosevic was shown to have authentic
credentials.

The court also heard from Milosevic's friend Aleksandra Matovic,
who, in faltering English, said she remembered meeting Milosevic
once or twice a week between 1987 and 1989 at the university's
small campus cafe and in some criminology classes.

But Ms Matovic, who said she had been particularly close to
Milosevic and his wife, Jovanka, for several years, could not
confirm if Milosevic had completed his studies.

Mr O'Day remanded Milosevic until September 14, when the court
will hear directions about his future committal hearing. He said
Milosevic presented an unacceptable risk and was unlikely to meet
his bail conditions