(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Lee Hagopian, IV (53) of Silver Lake, WI, is not a licensed optometrist. But at least as far back as 2015, people have been accusing him of practicing optometry anyway. Fox 6 did an investigative piece on him that generated a lot of interest. The next day too. Many folks came forward and accused Hagopian of doing eye exams, which only optometrists can do. At one point, the state did sanction Hagopian for practicing without a license, but no real consequences followed. His old business was called “Eye Xams” and was located on Pershing Blvd in Kenosha. There is an active alert on the Better Business Bureau website that indicates Hagopian is unlicensed.
Hagopian fled to the western, more rural part of the county, seemingly to escape his infamy. He now runs a business in Paddock Lake called Next Day Glasses, formerly Eyes on U Optical. As an optician, he can sell glasses if you already have a prescription, but not give eye exams.
In October of 2019, about 4 years after being confronted by Fox 6, he was again being accused of doing exams illegally. Kenosha DA Mike Graveley’s Office waited 18 months to charge Hagopian with practicing optometry without a license, misdemeanor theft and obstructing an officer. The DA dismissed the theft and obstruction charges and Hagopian was only convicted of practicing optometry without a license, landing him only a $200 fine. This wasn’t the first time Kenosha’s DA went easy on Hagopian.
In 2012 he was charged with disorderly conduct and domestic battery. The DA dropped the domestic battery charge and was given a small fine.
In 2013, according to court records, he was drinking at “Eyes On U Optical” when him and his wife got into an argument. Hagopian pushed her to the ground, broke her cell phone in half and then squeezed her neck until she couldn’t breathe. He was charged with a felony and three misdemeanors. The DA and Judge Kerkman let him off with a year of probation and dismissed the felony count.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
New Charges
On July 26, 2022, a Kenosha Deputy investigated another complaint from a customer of Hagopian. He said he paid Hagopian $641.70 for an eye exam, which Hagopian can’t do, and a pair of eye-glasses. He never got the glasses. The Deputy couldn’t make contact with Hagopian, but nearby employees said they though he was living in his shop. Kenosha Court Commissioner Loren Keating issued a $2,500 cash warrant for Hagopian a couple of months later. He came to court and Keating kept the $2,500 as bail.
On September 25, 2022, the same Deputy that investigated Hagopian two months prior was flagged down by another customer of Hagopian. The woman told police she took her 10-year-old grandson to see Hagopian who introduced himself as “Vaugn.” She thought he was a real eye doctor until she saw him on the news. She paid Hagopian $399 for glasses and the exam. About four months ago, her grandson was diagnosed with astigmatism after complaining of headaches. It is unknown if Hagopian contributed to this. On October 10, 2022, ADA Emily Gaertner charged Hagopian with misdemeanor theft, practicing optometry without a license and dispensing a prescription drug or device without practitioner’s prescription order, all misdemeanors.
On October 27, 2022, Hagopian appeared in court on his third practicing optometry without a license charge. Because the criminal complaint was sloppily written by the prosecutor, ADA Gaertner, Keating dismissed both optometry-related charges and left only the theft charge. The DA’s office could clean up the language and re-issue. It is unknown is they will be doing so.
KCE reached out to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services to see what they have done to protect the public. We heard back from Greg Cielewicz, the communications director for the state agency. He had the following to say:
“The last complaint filed with DSPS regarding Mr. Hagopian was received in October 2019. Since DSPS had previously issued an administrative injunction relating to Mr. Hagopian’s unlicensed practice (see the following link: ORDER0003944-00011226.pdf (wi.gov)), and we rely on the local district attorney to enforce violations of injunctions, the 2019 matter was referred to the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Based on the complaints you attached with your inquiry, it appears the Kenosha County District Attorney has taken legal action on multiple occasions in the past several years on behalf of the State of Wisconsin.”
Hagopian is due back in court on November 17, 2022.
12 Responses
Was this guy in a rock band in Kenosha at one time?
Blue Steel
I need to dig out that CD. “Choose Your Way”
So let me sum it all up…..no one is going to basically do shit, no one has done shit to the guy in the past…..which is why he doesn’t really care and is going to continue to do this.
I know who this guy is & he’s a real fucking weirdo. He would get all messed up on all kinds of drugs at his office after it closed..spent ALOT of time there with male “friends” I can’t believe he keeps getting away with this
Since 2020 I have become a visionary. I have the foresight to see to it that I will not be blinded by fraud. I remain focused and view things through a clear lens to see the truth. I appreciate KC Eye for looking into this and other black eyes in our community. It is clear that KM is also a private eye. It takes real eyes to realize so much misconduct. Thank you for watching out for the community KC Eye and not turning a blind eye to misconduct within government like the Kenosha Rag.
Maybe Gravely is a client and why he is so often blind to the law?
Based on his accused criminal behavior and lack of severe discipline, Hagopian must be a big dollar contributor to the local Democrat Party of his ill-gotten gain. As far as Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, I’m surprised you even got a response from them as their call back reputation is absolutely horrible.
I recently heard through the UW-P grapevine that DA Graveley is forwarding a recommendation to Chancellor Ford that Hagopian be appointed as Dean of the new Optician Academic Program at UW-P, no application process or degree necessary. If this is true, we can expect more of the Democrats leading the blind policy to continue.
He has packed up his “shop” and moved out of the location he had in Paddock Lake off Hwy 50 and 83. Keep your eyes open for this clown to show up somewhere else soon
I knew Lee when I was younger. Just of him really. I thought of him this morning for some reason as he is a distant relative of mine & then I opened your report. Wow. I now know that God is calling on people to pray for him. He needs prayer. He seems very lost to me. Yes, he should straighten up, but sometimes people have to hit the gutter before they change. He grew up with many privileges, was popular and musically talented. When you reach mid-life struggling like this, I’m sure it’s depressing – but it’s obvious he needs Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. I hope he reaches that place of epiphany and turns his criminal life around into something worthy.
So again, we wonder why the Kenosha County System isn’t working for the law-abiding people. It’s been stated above by Keaton. ADA write’s sloppy complaints and then they get dismissed. This is a joke. Fraud, injury, and acting like a doctor. Shouldn’t this guy be in jail already?? Any other person would be, so Kenosha needs to get off their ass and take action!!
Does anyone know if he also ever worked as an exotic male dancer at the sugar shack ?
A woman I know said she thought she recognized him from there many years ago .