Allegations include issuing prescriptions without legitimate medical need and widespread recordkeeping violations
United States Attorney Erica MacDonald today announced that Maplewood dentist DR. JERRY KENT BRUNSOMAN and his clinic INSTITUTE OF FACIAL SURGERY ST. PAUL, PLLC, d/b/a/ IDEALSKIN LASER REJUVENATION CENTER has agreed to pay $75,000 in civil penalties for allegedly issuing illegitimate prescriptions for opioid medications and repeatedly failing to comply with the recordkeeping requirements of the Controlled Substances Act.
According to the allegations in the complaint, BRUNSOMAN unlawfully issued multiple prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances, namely, oxycodone and hydrocodone, without a legitimate medical purpose. The complaint further alleges that BRUNSOMAN failed to keep complete and accurate records regarding the receipt and dispensing of controlled substances used at his clinic. Congress enacted the recordkeeping and prescribing requirements to prevent the diversion of controlled substances for illegal purposes. As a result of BRUNSOMAN’S alleged actions, hundreds of doses of controlled substances went unaccounted for and are presumed to have been diverted for illicit purposes.
“Prescription drug abuse is a very real threat to the health and safety of our community. Doctors and medical professionals have a unique responsibility in preventing these dangerous drugs from falling into the wrong hands," said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “The United States Attorney’s Office and our partners at the DEA are committed to pursuing those who divert prescription opioids in violation of the Controlled Substances Act."
Prior to the federal civil suit, the Minnesota Board of Dentistry conducted an independent investigation that resulted in a public discipline order. The Board required BRUNSOMAN to voluntarily surrender his license to practice dentistry and his DEA registration to prescribe controlled substances. BRUNSOMAN is no longer practicing dentistry in Minnesota.
“Communities rely on doctors to help treat and improve their quality of life," DEA Omaha Division Diversion Program Manager William Stockman said. “Doctors are held to a certain standard and are not expected to disregard controlled substance laws and regulations. When doctors disregard laws, they allow pharmaceutical drugs to be illegally channeled into our community and contribute to increased drug abuse. The DEA continues to fight the opioid crisis by working alongside the USAO and the Minnesota state boards."
This case was investigated by the Diversion Group of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Minneapolis-St. Paul District Office and handled by the Affirmative Civil Enforcement unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, with cooperation from the Minnesota State Board of Dentistry.
The case is captioned United States of America v. Jerry Kent Brunsoman, Institute of Facial Surgery St. Paul, PLLC, d/b/a/ IdealSkin Laser Rejuvenation Center, Civil No. 18-CV-2172 (JRT/BRT). The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
