Physical Therapy Board hears petition for reinstatement from Michael Kane; deliberation moved to closed session

The Physical Therapy Board of California heard a petition for reinstatement from petitioner Michael Kane on March 18, 2025, in Stockton. An administrative law judge presided and Deputy Attorney General Nina Benjamin presented background, exhibits and probative documents; Kane gave sworn testimony about his rehabilitation and current circumstances.

The hearing focused on whether Kane’s rehabilitation since disciplinary proceedings beginning in 2017 meets the clear-and-convincing standard required for reinstatement of a license under the Physical Therapy Practice Act. The board received exhibits including the original accusation, a stipulated settlement and order, a subsequent decision denying an earlier petition to modify probation, evidence of voluntary surrender, an investigative report, and multiple letters submitted as proof of rehabilitation.

Kane testified under oath about life changes since his license was revoked and surrendered, including church involvement, mentoring activities, work outside physical therapy (landscaping and fitness coaching), and letters of recommendation from community members and clinicians. Board members questioned Kane about the timing and nature of his prior employment, whether he had taken continuing education since 2017, his financial status and remaining fiscal pressures that the prosecution previously identified as linked to the misconduct, and the specifics of responsibilities he currently holds (including whether he manages money or billing in his present roles).

Deputy Attorney General Nina Benjamin summarized the disciplinary history on the record: an accusation filed January 12, 2017, alleging falsified medical documents, gross negligence, unprofessional conduct, fraud/dishonesty, and charging fees for services not performed; a stipulated agreement in November 2017 that revoked and stayed his license and placed him on probation; a denied petition to modify probation in 2020; and Kane’s voluntary surrender of his license in April 2021. Benjamin noted prior findings that Kane forged patient signatures and submitted documentation and billing for services that had not been performed and that documentation failed to track required treatment details.

Board members and staff emphasized the board’s public-protection standard. The deputy AG stressed that remediation requires more than remorse: consistent, documented rehabilitation and evidence the applicant can meet professional trustworthiness and documentation requirements, especially given the nature of the prior misconduct and the vulnerability of home-health patients. Kane acknowledged he has not worked as a licensed physical therapist since 2017, described plans to pursue mentorship and continuing education if reinstated, and described community supports including church leaders and clinicians who provided letters of recommendation.

At the close of testimony, the administrative law judge swore the witness, accepted the exhibits into evidence, and announced the record was closed. The board moved into closed session to deliberate; no final decision was announced in public. The hearing record was submitted and the board will prepare a written decision and mail it to Kane; the ALJ noted the written decision will be issued and delivered within more than 30 days as required by procedure.

The board took no immediate action or vote on the petition in open session.

Kane’s petition and the hearing record include multiple exhibits that the board relied upon during questioning and deliberation: the accusation, the stipulated settlement and order, the decision denying the prior probation-modification petition, proof of surrender, an investigative report, Kane’s petition for reinstatement, his sworn statement, continuing-education records from before surrender, and several letters of recommendation submitted by clinicians and clergy. The board’s deliberation will consider Kane’s testimony, those exhibits, and agency requirements under the Physical Therapy Practice Act.

The board adjourned the public portion of the hearing and moved to closed session to deliberate. A written decision will be issued and mailed to Michael Kane.