RICHMOND, Va. - Two physicians have agreed to pay $100,000 in civil penalties for allegedly issuing prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act.
The government alleged that, between March and July 2016, Dr. Stephen Deschner, 67, and Dr. Bonnie Deschner, 67, who formerly practiced in Hanover County, issued five prescriptions for morphine, a Schedule II narcotic, to an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force Officer over the course of four visits to the Deschners’ DeBoss Clinic. The government alleged that the Deschners issued the prescriptions outside the usual course of professional practice in Virginia, and not for a legitimate medical purpose.
The Controlled Substances Act regulates individuals and companies that manufacture, distribute, and dispense controlled substances. The law aims to protect public health and safety from the dangers posed by highly addictive or dangerous controlled substances, including the diversion or improper use of such substances, while also ensuring that patients have access to pharmaceutical controlled substances for legitimate medical purposes.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and the DEA’s Washington Division- Richmond District Office.
The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert McIntosh. The civil claims settled by this agreement are allegations only; there has been no admission of civil liability.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
