Niles police say a 61-year-old Skokie man performed acupuncture with toothpicks and gave a man pills, but did so without having a license to practice medicine.

The man, identified by police as George Fleming, has been charged with practicing medicine without a license. He faces up to three years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines, according to police.

The victim, who police have not identified, saw an advertisement for Fleming’s services in a Bulgarian newspaper, and was treated by Fleming April 23 at a clinic in the 8900 block of Golf Road, police said.

Citing the ongoing investigation, Niles police spokesman Sgt. Robert Tornabene would not comment on how Fleming gained access to the clinic, which was closed at the time of the alleged incident.

Authorities allege that Fleming used toothpicks for an acupuncture treatment and gave the victim expired pills labeled as dietary supplements.

Three days after the treatment, the victim and his son called the clinic, where a female employee said she did not know Fleming, police said. The victim and son proceeded to visit the clinic and saw Fleming flee the area.

According to police, Fleming voluntarily came to Niles police for an interview, during which time he admitted to practicing medicine without a license.

Tornabene said that due to the pending nature of the investigation, he was not at liberty to discuss whether Fleming treated any additional patients.

Fleming could not be reached for comment.