Dallas doctors were prescribing dangerous “trinity” drug combinations for financial gain, federal court imposes $1.2 million penalties
Dallas, Texas – A federal court has issued stringent measures against two physicians from the Dallas area for their improper handling of opioid prescriptions. With civil fines of $1.2 million imposed for their acts, which broke the Controlled medications Act (CSA), Dr. Cesar B. Pena Rodriguez and Dr. Leovares A. Mendez have been banned from prescribing any opioids or controlled medications.
Initiated by the US in 2019 in the Northern District of Texas, the complaint covered how the doctors violated standard medical guidelines by writing strong opioids and other prohibited prescriptions without a valid medical justification. According to the press release issued by the Department of Justice, they were accused of writing hundreds of prescriptions in a way that seemed to ignore patient safety, including the dangerous mix known as the “trinity” — opioids, short-acting benzodiazepines, and muscle relaxers.
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While Dr. Pena Rodriguez earlier this year was fined $914,021, Dr. Mendez was hit with a $291,451 fine. These fines are a component of more general legal consequences the court has ruled, permanently prohibiting doctors from prescribing, dispensing, or administering controlled substances. They are also not allowed to have DEA registrations or participate in any medical office handling banned drugs.
This case reflects a significant misuse of professional trust, where instead of utilizing their positions to treat patients, these physicians exploited vulnerabilities for profit.
“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, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.
Leigha Simonton, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, underlined the seriousness of the doctors’ activities by stressing the predatory exploitation of addicts inside the society. The quick legal steps seek to guard consumers against such future deceptive tactics.
The severity of the doctors’ misbehavior was highlighted by Eduardo A. Chávez, the DEA Special Agent in Charge in Dallas, who characterized it as distribution of a lethal controlled substance mix for profit.
“Standards for our medical professionals must stay high because patients deserve a doctor they can trust,” Chávez remarked. This case not only resulted in civil penalties but also brought about criminal and administrative consequences for the doctors involved.
Dr. Pena Rodriguez had earlier entered a two-year jail term after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances in connected criminal proceedings. Dr. Mendez was found guilty at trial of one count of conspiracy to distribute banned narcotics and six charges of unlawful distribution, so serving a seven-year prison term.
The Justice Department and its partners, notably the DEA, clearly demonstrate through their strict enforcement their dedication to use every tool at disposal to stop the illegal distribution of opioids and maintain the integrity of the medical profession. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Delaney for the Northern District of Texas and Trial Attorney Scott B. Dahlquist of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch pursued the case, addressing the opioid issue and its repercussions throughout communities.