Conviction Not Required: Illinois Pediatrician Could Face the Board Before He Goes to Court

September 13, 2025

A pediatric neurologist has been accused of paying for sex with trafficked women and threatening to withhold medical care in an effort to control at least one of the victims.

Dr. Gireesh Velugubanti is one of four people to be charged so far in a human trafficking ring that Oakland County prosecutors allege has been operating out of the Sonesta Suites in Southfield, Illinois. And while this case is still unfolding—that is, Velugubanti has not been convicted—the seriousness of the allegations could raise additional (and immediate) challenges with the state’s medical board.

Medical Boards Don’t Have to Wait For the State to Act

Under Illinois’ Medical Practice Act, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has the authority to define and enforce the rules that govern physicians practicing within the state. This governance includes the ability to investigate allegations, so while Dr. Velugubanti has not yet had his day in court, the IDFPR has both the power and the capacity to investigate the matter on its own. Should this board decide that the allegations are valid, it can take action before the criminal process is complete.

And that could be more serious than the accused physician realizes.

A typical complaint process can include a series of notices and hearings (depending upon the severity of the complaint), and can take several months to sort out. And while specific processes can vary, this general chain of events is true in all states. The physician in question will be notified of the allegations and will have an opportunity to present evidence and call witnesses on their behalf.

But as the severity of the allegations increases, so does the expediency with which the Board can respond:

In Illinois, for example, the board can ‘summarily suspend’ a physician’s license before any hearings have been held, when the IDFPR believes that the physician poses a threat to the public health and safety.

In this instance, the physician would still be notified and a hearing would be set, but the doctor would no longer be permitted to practice medicine in the interim.

And any violation of this order could potentially result in a full revocation.

When Allegations Pose an Immediate Threat to Your License

Now, while the extreme circumstances alleged in this case might warrant such swift action, it isn’t the only type of behavior that can trigger a summary suspension.

In fact, every state, along with the District of Columbia and all U.S. territories, has a Medical Practice Act, and they will all contain similar rules and regulations. This is to ensure that medical professionals are held to the same standards of care, regardless of where they work.

And it ensures that patients are always protected, regardless of where they’re treated.

These Acts include a variety of grounds for discipline against physicians, such as:

  • Gross negligence
  • Dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct
  • Habitual or excessive use or abuse of drugs or alcohol
  • Fraud or misrepresentation
  • Felony convictions
  • Abandoning a patient
  • Falsification of records
  • Immoral conduct, including, but not limited to, sexual misconduct
  • Incapacity or incompetence
  • Mental illness or disability which results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety

These lists are often intentionally broad because the states want to cover any possibility for substandard care. But you can see where this broad terminology could create big challenges for a physician who may have been wrongly accused.

And that means that time is of the essence.

How you respond in these instances will be crucial to the final outcome, and there isn’t much room for error. The state will not hold your hand through a disciplinary process; you’ll need to be ready to handle that on your own.

The LLF National Law Firm can help you navigate the disciplinary process as you work to protect your license and your practice. Our Professional License Defense Team has the knowledge and experience needed to advocate for your rights and present a thorough defense. We have worked with doctors and other professionals across the country, and we can help you achieve the best possible outcome. Contact the LLF National Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 to talk about your options. You can also use our convenient online form to discuss your case and schedule a consultation.

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