Dr. Ronald Lubetsky was sentenced recently to five years in prison by U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks for unlawfully dispensing narcotics, specifically oxycodone and morphine.
Lubetsky was convicted at trial in November on seven counts of unlawfully dispensing narcotics. Trial evidence showed that law enforcement learned of Lubetsky’s operation and practices over the course of more than two years. They learned that Lubetsky prescribed large doses of opioid pain medication that were not supported by any demonstrable medical need and were therefore without any legal basis.
An expert medical witness called by the government testified that Lubetsky’s prescribing practices were far outside the scope of generally accepted medical practices, were not prescribed for any legitimate medical purpose, and could have had dangerous effects on the patients.
On two different occasions, law enforcement discovered that a patient had told Lubetsky that she had sold or given away some of her oxycodone pills. When hearing this, the doctor simply issued her more prescriptions. Even an expert medical witness called to testify on behalf of the doctor conceded that some of the doses of opioids Lubetsky prescribed could have sent his patient to the emergency room had she taken them.
At sentencing, the United States also provided evidence that during the course of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) investigation, four of Lubetsky’s patients had been arrested for drug deals they set up while in the waiting room of the doctor’s office.
Markenzy Lapointe, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter, DEA, Miami Field Division, made the announcement recently.
DEA Miami Field Division West Palm Beach District Office investigated this case with assistance from City of Miami Police Department; Miami Gardens Police Department; Miami-Dade Police Department; and Aventura Police Department. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida prosecuted the case.
If you are aware of controlled substance violations in your community, please submit your anonymous tip through the DEA online Tip Line. Concerns about prescription drug abuse or diversion can also be reported to the DEA.
