A Florida medical doctor faces up to 35 years in prison and $1.75 million in fines after allowing a colleague to write prescriptions for anabolic steroids on his behalf for almost four years. Dr. Steven Pearlstein pleaded guilty to the illegal distribution of steroids and human growth hormone (hGH). In his plea agreement, Pearlstein admitted to giving the owner and operator of an anti-aging and longevity clinic access to his prescription pad.
Craig Beaver, a chiropractor who operated the Infinity Medical and Rehabilitation Center in West Palm Beach, had previously pleaded guilty for his role in the steroid distribution scheme. Beaver reportedly wrote prescriptions on Pearlstein’s behalf from August 2007 until July 2011. The prescriptions were “pre-signed” by Pearlstein. Pearlstein did not examine the patients for which Beaver issued the prescriptions.
Infinity Medical and Rehab was accused of providing steroids and hGH for bodybuilding and performance-enhancing purposes that were not considered legitimate therapeutic purposes.
The steroids were fulfilled by Treasure Coast Pharmacy. Treasure Coast was the target of a six-month investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The compounding pharmacy was identified as one of the largest suppliers of anabolic steroids by the federal government. The DEA investigation was codenamed “Operation Juice Doctor 2”.
Dr. Pearlstein was one of the 57 doctors identified by the DEA who were responsible for 10,774 orders of anabolic steroids and hGH during a six month period between October 2010 and March 2011.
Pearlstein is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Kenneth Marra on December 14, 2012. While he faces a maximum penalty to 35 year in prison and a 1.75 million dollar fine, he is expected to receive a reduced sentence.
Source:
McMahon, P. (September 24, 2012). Coral Springs doctor pleads guilty to conspiring to illegally distribute pain pills, steroids. Retrieved from http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/crime/fl-steven-pearlstein-plea-20120924,0,6871067.story
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