U.S. Attorney Phillip Talbert | U.S. Department of Justice
The United States government has initiated a civil lawsuit against nurse practitioner Joan Rubinger, based in Stockton, for allegedly orchestrating a nationwide scheme to sell illegal opioid prescriptions in exchange for cash. Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced the legal action, which seeks to prevent Rubinger from prescribing controlled substances and to impose civil penalties.
Court documents outline that between November 1, 2019, and June 17, 2024, Rubinger traveled across various cities offering services ranging from intravenous flushes to prescribing controlled substances. Her practice included only her personal assistant and a billing manager, without any licensed physician's supervision or association. She typically met clients in non-medical settings such as hotel rooms lacking essential diagnostic tools and proper medical records.
The complaint claims that Rubinger sold opioid prescriptions via brief text exchanges on the encrypted messaging app Telegram. Customers were reportedly provided with price lists allowing them to choose from a selection of addictive drugs like Oxycodone, Percocet, Xanax, and Adderall. After payment was made without examinations or record-keeping, she issued prescriptions under false names of customers' acquaintances who had not consented to participate in her activities.
Further allegations suggest Rubinger was aware of the illegality of her actions and instructed customers on appearing legitimate medically. In a document titled "THE RULES," she outlined steps to avoid attracting attention from authorities like the DEA and required upfront payments by comparing it to fast-food transactions.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Tennyson is handling the case litigation following an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The government emphasizes its ongoing efforts against opioid abuse and encourages tips or complaints through the DEA's hotline or website.
Currently, these are allegations with no established liability determination in this case labeled United States v. Rubinger (2:25-cv-00091-DAD-JDP) at the Eastern District of California.
