Fake medical certificate doctor avoids jail

 A doctor who signed fake medical certificates for students has avoided jail time.

Daniel Lawrence Quistorff was sentenced today at Auckland District Court to 300 hours' community work after being found guilty of forgery at a trial in April.

The 33-year-old doctor signed 37 fake medical certificates for international students who could then miss classes without prejudicing their required attendance rate.

His lawyer Arlan Arman said Quistorff hasn't practised medicine in three years.

"He is no doubt a good doctor but it's questionable whether he was the wisest doctor."

Judge Nicola Mathers told Quistorff that his financial reward was "trivial" for his offending.

"You accept entirely your stupidity."

Judge Mathers said she hoped Quistorff would be able to work as a doctor again and continue to serve the community.

After sentencing, Quistorff said he was thankful Judge Mathers took a compassionate view of the case.

"I regret my lapse in judgement."

"I have paid a high price for what happened and I am glad I finally have the opportunity to move on."

He said he hoped to spend his hours of community work treating children in South Auckland.

Quistorff was arrested at Auckland International Airport in December 2011 as he tried to board a plane to California.

Quistorff, who moved to New Zealand from the United States 10 years ago, referred to himself as "Mr McLovin" in an old social network profile, earned bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery degrees in 2009.

He later worked as a locum at Auckland City Hospital and an inner-city men's clinic.

The Medical Council said Quistorff's practising certificate ended in December 2011 and he had not held a certificate since.

- By Sophie Ryan of APNZ

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