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Thursday, November 7, 2024

Court bars two Texas doctors from prescribing opioids; imposes $1.2M penalties

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Lisa O. Monaco Deputy Attorney General | Official Website

A federal court has taken action against two physicians from the Dallas area, prohibiting them from prescribing opioids and other controlled substances. The court also imposed a total of $1.2 million in penalties following allegations that the doctors violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), according to an announcement by the Justice Department.

The civil complaint, filed in 2019 in the Northern District of Texas, accused Cesar B. Pena Rodriguez M.D. and Leovares A. Mendez M.D. of issuing prescriptions for opioids and other potent drugs outside professional practice norms and without legitimate medical purposes. The complaint alleged that they issued numerous prescriptions without considering patient harm, including for a combination known as the "trinity," which consists of an opioid, a short-acting benzodiazepine, and a muscle relaxer.

On October 8, the court ordered a $291,451 civil penalty against Mendez, alongside a $914,021 penalty against Pena Rodriguez issued earlier this year.

"Prescribing opioids for no legitimate purpose betrays the trust placed in our medical professionals and significantly threatens the communities they serve," stated Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. He emphasized that efforts would continue to stop doctors who fail to prescribe controlled substances lawfully.

U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton for the Northern District of Texas remarked on the case: "Doctors are charged with protecting and healing us when we are sick and vulnerable... These doctors sought to profit off of their addictions."

Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chávez of the DEA Dallas commented on their actions: “Peña-Rodríguez and Mendez were distributing deadly controlled substances mix known as the ‘trinity’ outside the course of a legitimate medical need.” He noted that after successful criminal prosecution, further civil and administrative penalties were pursued.

The defendants agreed to consent judgments settling these allegations. The court's orders permanently prohibit them from prescribing or distributing controlled substances or holding DEA registrations.

In separate criminal proceedings, Pena Rodriguez pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to unlawful distribution while Mendez was found guilty on multiple counts including conspiracy and unlawful distribution. Mendez received a seven-year prison sentence; Pena Rodriguez was sentenced to two years.

The DEA conducted investigations into this case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Delaney for the Northern District of Texas and Trial Attorney Scott B. Dahlquist leading prosecutions.

The claims remain allegations unless proven by evidence if brought to trial.

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