The Attorney General wanted the board to suspend Kramer's license while the investigation into the alleged sexual misconduct offenses plays out.
TRENTON -- A chiropractor in Warren County accused of fondling two female patients must stop treating women until a monitor can be assigned to chaperone him, state Attorney General Christopher Porrino announced Tuesday.
The New Jersey Board of Chiropractic Examiners imposed the limitations last week on Edward Kramer Jr., who operates Kramer Family Chiropractic in Blairstown.
But Porrino's office wanted the board to impose a harsher penalty and suspend Kramer's license immediately while the investigation into the alleged sexual misconduct offenses continues.
In a rare display of disagreement between the attorney general's office and a licensing body it oversees, Porrino said he was "disappointed" with the chiropractic board's decision.
"Two female patients have alleged that Dr. Kramer inappropriately touched them under the guise of providing chiropractic treatment. We believe the information they provided warrants an immediate and full temporary suspension of his license until these allegations are resolved. We're disappointed that the Board did not agree with us," according to Porrino's statement. "The Board instead has required Dr. Kramer to have a female chaperone in the office overseeing his treatment of female patients until this matter is heard in an administrative court of law."
N.J. chiropractor suspended for allegedly fondling patients
David Allen, a chiropractor in West Orange who is the board's president, declined to comment on Porrino's statement.
Steve Lee, director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, also expressed concern about the board's decision.
"The Division relies on patients to come forward with information to help us identify and protect the public from doctors who abuse their patient's trust for their own personal satisfaction," Lee said. "The allegations against Kramer by two former patients describe an egregious and violative abuse of this trust."
Kramer could not be reached for comment.
The monitor, approved by the board and paid for by Kramer, will oversee his interaction with female patients until an administrative law judge holds a hearing, on the allegations and renders a decision, Porrino said.
The board will have the final say on what happens to Kramer's license.
Patients may file complaints against licensed health care professionals online with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 or 973-504-6200.
Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.