Gov. Murphy Appoints 3 To NJ Chiropractic Board

NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy has announced three new appointments for the New Jersey Board of Chiropractic Examiners. If approved by the state Senate, these appointments will begin working to reform the board after current members reinstated the license of a convicted sex offender in February.

Murphy’s nominees are Dr. Kelly Blundy, Dr. Uchenna Abba Onyeani, and Dr. Michael Kaufman. They would replace "holdover appointees" currently on the board.

"I am excited to nominate this slate of highly-qualified individuals to the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners," said Murphy. "The Board’s recent decision to reinstate the license of a convicted sex offender was shocking and offensive. We must begin the work of reforming this board now, and I look forward to working with the Senate to confirm Drs. Blundy, Onyeani, and Kaufman to get started on this important effort."

The New Jersey Board of Chiropractic Examiners made the decision to reinstate Bryan K. Bajakian's license for a five-year probationary period, according to documents from the board. Read more: Gov. Murphy: Sex Offender Getting NJ License Back 'Reprehensible'

In April 2005 Bajakian was brought up on charges that included attempting to lure a child for purposes of committing a sex act, knowing of or possessing child pornography and illegal weapons possession. He eventually pleaded guilty to two counts of luring or enticing a child, and illegal weapons possession in 2008.

His license was formally revoked in October 2010 after the same board found that Bajakian engaged in sexual misconduct with an underage patient that he spoke with over the Internet. The board also found that Bajakian used the Internet to engage in "conduct of a sexual nature" with six minors.

The reinstatement of his license was in direct opposition to the wishes of Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, who filed a November motion to block Bajakian's reinstatement.

Murphy called the decision "reprehensible" and "unacceptable."

Blow back was swift, and New Jersey Senate leadership has introduced a bill that would remove the current State Board of Chiropractic Examiners and ban anyone convicted of a felony sex offense from obtaining a license in the state. Read more: NJ Bill Would Remove Current Board Of Chiropractors

"This board has clearly lost sight of its responsibility to protect the health and safety of the people of New Jersey," said Senate President Steve Sweeney said. "Giving a convicted sex offender the sanctioned permission to return to the practice is irresponsible and illogical. Bryan Bajakian is a predator who should be denied the opportunity to threaten anyone again."

The proposed bill would remove the current board, which officials say is "dominated by chiropractors," and reform it to include more public representation.

It would also ban anyone convicted of a felony sex crime from being licensed to work as a chiropractor in the state.

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