Criminal accusations relating to drugs can be tough enough for any person to endure, but for a physician the stakes can be even higher. A New Jersey doctor is currently facing charges for drug crimes, which include purportedly prescribing medication with no medical need. In addition to the arrest for drug charges, his medical practice was also closed. The defendant is still in jail being held on bail and the investigation of the drug crimes is still ongoing.
The doctor is formally charged with distributing medication for no discernible medical reason. Prosecutors claim that the New Jersey doctor's actions were especially dangerous because it could encourage or incite a prescription drug dependency. Violations of medical and ethical codes of conduct can have devastating consequences for a physician, including jail time, loss of medical license and more.
It is said that the doctor was caught as a result of an undercover operation. Apparently on eight different occasions, the undercover operation caught him illegally distributing drugs. All of these instances occurred at times when he was not fulfilling his normal job duties. A search of his office also supposedly resulted in the discovery of guns, a large sum of money and a supply of prescription medications.
Drug crimes can have serious legal consequences, particularly for doctors who are sworn to work toward the benefit of public health. The doctor could have a difficult legal path ahead of him, but he can still build a vigorous criminal defense for his trial if he decides that a plea deal is not a more appropriate option. It is important for the community at large to remember that at this time, he has not been formally found guilty by a jury of his peers.
Source: CBS Philly, NJ Doctor Arrested For Allegedly Prescribing Drugs Without Medical Necessity, No author, Jan. 24, 2014
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