Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Yong De Lin was indicted today on suspicion of administering an unlicensed acupuncture treatment that caused a woman’s lung to collapse.
District Attorney Katz urged anyone who received acupuncture treatment from Lin, who worked at his Flushing clinic, to contact Lin’s office’s Elder Fraud Unit at 718-286-6578. ing.
District Attorney Katz said, “The difference between receiving medical care from a competent, licensed professional and an unlicensed professional can be the difference between life and death.” He almost killed a patient because he didn’t have a license and didn’t even want to apply for one. I urge other victims to come forward.”
Yong De Lin, 66, of Flushing, was charged with four counts of first- and second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, and unauthorized professional conduct. Ta. Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino ordered Lin to return to court on September 20. If convicted, Lin could face up to 25 years in prison.
According to the charges:
- On May 10, 2022, Shujuan Jiang, 63, visited C&W Medical at 3808 Union Street in Flushing to relieve abdominal and back pain and was referred to Lin.
- On May 16, 2022, Jiang returned to Japan, and Lin performed acupuncture on her stomach and back. Jiang returned for 16 more treatments between May 18th and October 28th.
- During the last session, Jiang felt unwell after receiving treatment and had to lie down. After giving her additional acupuncture and cupping treatments, Ms. Lin sent Ms. Jiang to her home.
- On the way home, Jiang felt short of breath and collapsed on the sidewalk. A bystander called 911 and Jiang was taken to the hospital, where it was discovered that both of her lungs had collapsed due to the effects of her acupuncture treatment. She needed immediate surgery to save her life. Jiang remained hospitalized for six days.
- Lin is not a licensed acupuncturist and has never applied for the required national certification.
Assistant District Attorney Anna Diao, Chief of the District Attorney’s Elder Fraud Unit, is prosecuting this case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Joseph T. Conley III, Chief of the Fraud Bureau, and Deputy Chief Hana Kim. Overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Gerald Brave.
