Does using an EZ-Pass save you money?

LONG ISLAND CITY (WABC) -- Most people use EZ-Pass to help save time and money. However, it turns out that the only people who are getting the EZ-Pass discount at the Queens Midtown Tunnel tolls are the ones who got their EZ-Pass transponders from a New York agency. Everyone else is paying the same as cash.

0 "Why shouldn't everyone be paying the same amount? It doesn't make sense," said driver Glen Braica.

Most drivers assume they'll get a break on the tolls for using EZ-Pass, but according to a recent AAA study, drivers traveling out-of-state may be paying the same as the cash customers.

"One of the benefits of getting EZ-Pass is that you don't pay the cash rates, so what is the point of having it?" said Valeria Bonamonte.

The higher tolls affect hundreds of thousands of commuters who travel between New York and New Jersey for work. For example, if you got your EZ-Pass transponder from New Jersey, you'll pay 10 dollars and 40 cents to drive the length of the Turnpike. If you get your transponder from New York, you'll pay $13.80, which is thesame as the cash lanes, and a 33 percent increase.

The New York EZ-Pass users will get the discount at the MTA bridges and tunnels and will pay $4.80. But the out of state drivers will pay 25 percent more, at six dollars.

"Every time you turn around, they're trying to charge motorists more, it has got to stop," said Robert Sinclair from AAA.

Sinclair also wonders how higher tolls for out-of-state drivers will affect the busy summer tourist season.

"Here you are putting this grand impediment for people who want to come visit our area," he added.

This is not just a tri-state phenomenon. New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Maine are also charging different rates depending on where your EZ-Pass is from.

"The rates should be the same because we all live in one country," said driver Mandeep Kumar.

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Former Dr. charged with using alias to practice medicine

A former doctor is charged with continuing to practice medicine under a different name.

WYCKOFF, New Jersey (WABC) -- A former doctor is under arrest in New Jersey accused of continuing to practice medicine and surgery under a different name.

The Bergen County Prosecutor announced the arrest of Alan Lupinacci.

Lupinacci lost his medical license after pleading guilty in 1995 to 10 counts of criminal sexual content with his female patients.

In 2003, despite the suspended license it was found that Lupinacci was still practicing medicine at the Wyckoff Health Shoppe in Wyckoff, New Jersey.

Police again opened another investigation when they say Lupinacci again worked at a nutritional counseling facility, but under the name Dr. Alan Woods.

Lupinacci is accused of offering nutritional counseling services for an initial consultation fee of $375.00 for a three hour meeting with follow up appointments available for $125.00 per hour.

Additionally, after meeting with clients and recommending a nutritional and supplementation regime, the suspect would offer to provide them with various vitamins and supplementation products that he had for sale within the office or through an online website.

Authorities say over the 2 year period, Lupinacci was given over $80,000 for treatment and medicines to patients who believed they were being provided by a licensed and authorized medical physician.

The suspect was arrested at his office without incident and faces multiple criminal counts.

He's being held on $100,000 bail.

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