Karla Moya Boada, a Venezuelan national accused of illegally practicing medicine in the Dominican Republic, was acquitted due to a technicality, despite overwhelming evidence against her, N Digital reports.
The Ministry of Public Health shut down a first medical office where she operated, but then she opened a second parallel one as her case was held in court, N Digital reports, but this was not considered in the ruling calling for her acquittal from charges of irregularities.
N Digital explains that two crucial pieces of evidence were deemed inadmissible by the Second Collegiate Appeals Court:
- University certification: A document from the South American university where she says she graduated as a physician, certifying that Moya is not a graduate of their institution.
- LinkedIn profile: Screenshots from Moya’s LinkedIn profile where she claims to be a lawyer graduated from Universidad Carlos Bello in 2001.
N Digital explains that the court rejected these pieces of evidence on a technicality, stating they were submitted late during the second appeals trial despite being available before the first hearing.
N Digital reports that the court did accept documents from Moya Boada that lacked proper legalization (apostilles) from official channels, such as the Ministry of Higher Education.
The court did not accept the evidence presented including a document from the Metropolitan District of Caracas Medical Association in Venezuela that states that Moya’s alleged medical degree is being held due to lack of authenticity verification.
The court did not accept a certification from the Central University of Venezuela (UCV) that was presented as evidence that Moya Boada has no academic record at UCV as a student, graduate, or otherwise.
Investigative journalist Nuria Piera, who initially broke the story two years ago, expressed her disappointment with the verdict: “The judicial system failed… novice prosecutors were unable to prove in the first instance that Moya Boada was illegally practicing medicine.”
Piera highlighted Moya’s inability to provide proof of her plastic surgery qualifications or legal permission to perform medical procedures in the Dominican Republic during the hearing.
Previously, Piera’s investigation uncovered photographs of Moya’s clinic displaying fraudulent certificates claiming she held a postgraduate degree in plastic surgery and a medical degree from UCV—certificates that were conveniently removed when investigators arrived at the scene.
N Digital interviewed Dr. Susana Cárdenas, vice president of the Venezuelan Society of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Maxillofacial Surgery, who confirmed that Moya Boada is not a member of their organization, further casting doubt on her medical credentials.
It is not clear whether Moya Boada is cleared to continue to practice medicine in the Dominican Republic. She has said she will sue those who damaged her reputation as a medical doctor.
Read more:
N Digital
Nuria Piera – Karla Moya Boada Part 1
Nuria Piera – Karla Moya Boada Part 2
Nuria Piera – Karla Moya Boada Part 3
2 June 2025