Archive for: March 2006

Judge Clips Jail Time for Myrtle Beach Drug Doctors (full text) Kenneth Gailliard; The Sun News, Myrtle Beach Online; 2006-03-28. Excerpt: “A federal judge [Houck] on Monday slashed prison sentences for three former doctors from a now-closed Myrtle Beach pain clinic where federal prosecutors say drugs were illegally prescribed. <A Fed> appeals court ruled in 2005 that Houck… could have used more discretion in those sentences.” Comment (DeLuca): NOT. GOOD. ENOUGH. Dr. Bordeaux et al. deserve ZERO prison time – anything else reinforces the ‘chilling effect’ and deepens the Pain Crisis in America. Defense attorney Stutsman plans to ask the Supreme Court to review …

‘Good Faith’ at Issue in Pain Doctor’s [Hurwitz] Appeal (full text) Larry O’Dell, Associated Press Writer; Richmond Times-Dispatch; 2006-03-17. Posted: 2006-03-20. Comment (DeLuca): This Resource Is an example of, I am sorry to say typical, Trash Journalism – in this case regarding U.S. v Hurwitz. ‘Journalist’ O’Dell takes pains to specifically recount State charges against Dr. Hurwitz without making clear that Virginia ultimately exonerated him BEFORE the Fed brought the case for which Hurwitz is currently serving 25 years (life). See also: Brief of Appellant William Eliot Hurwitz (PDF) – Appeal from the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Virginia; Robbins, …

Jurors: Deciding Dr. Luyao’s Fate was ‘Difficult, Emotional’ (full text) Derek Simmonsen; TCPalm.com; 2006-03-09. Posted: 2006-03-12 “‘We were like six college students researching a paper,’ said <juror> Sanders, <recalling> counting pills in bottles and passing around autopsy records, medical charts and pharmacy notes so each <juror> could read the evidence and give their opinions.” Comment (DeLuca): Every doctors nightmare: jurors without medical education, led by venal prosecutors, passing judgment on the basis of medical documents they are unqualified to interpret, in a criminal case. <shudder> See also: Luyao Trials Part of Wider Debate – Derek Simmonsen; TCPalm.com Local News; 2006-03-12. Posted: 2006-03-12. Reynolds (PRN) …

Agents Raid Pain Doctor [Linda Cheek's] Office (full text) Lindsey Nair; The Roanoke Times; 2006-03-02. Excerpt: “Heidi Coy, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Roanoke, would neither confirm nor deny an investigation. ‘Charges have not been filed, but the justification for the search warrant was billing,’ Cheek, 57, wrote in an e-mail to The Roanoke Times. ‘The hidden agenda is pain management… I have to be true to the science more than I have to be true to the government.’” Comment (DeLuca): Sounds like the usual fishing expedition – Brownlee will see what innuendo he can manufacture and then decide whether to unleash …