News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2004

Scottsdale Physician Convicted on 185 Counts in Federal Court

MAY 14--On May 12, The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Acting Special Agent in Charge John S. Comer announced that a federal jury in Phoenix returned a conviction on 185 counts of Illegal Distribution of Controlled Substances against Dr. Jeffrey H. Feingold, N.M.D., 58 years old of Fountain Hills, Ariz. Dr. Feingold’s office is located at 7227 E. Shea Blvd., Suite B, in Scottsdale, Ariz.

After a two week trial, Dr. Feingold was found guilty of knowingly and intentionally distributing Schedule II and III controlled substances outside of the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose in violation of Title 21 of the United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C) and (b)(1)(D). The evidence at trial indicated that ten patients and two undercover DEA agents posing as patients received over 10,000 doses of Schedule II controlled substances and approximately 4,000 doses of Schedule III controlled substances over a period of one and a half years. The numbers reflect a representative sample of the total number of patients and number of doses prescribed to those patients during the same time period.

Narcotics that were prescribed include Percocet, Vicodin, Morphine and OxyContin, among others. “When physicians cross the line and no longer see their patient’s well being as a priority, juries will convict them of wrongdoing,” said Paul Charlton, United States Attorney for the District of Arizona, Phoenix.

“The verdict today sends a message that medical practitioners who violate the laws of the United States when prescribing controlled substances other than for legitimate medical needs, will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge John S. Comer. “We want to ensure that these powerful medications don’t end up in the wrong hands and lead to abuse.”

The maximum penalty for the counts involving the distribution of Schedule II controlled substances is twenty years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. The maximum penalty for the counts involving the distribution of Schedule III controlled substances is five in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.

Dr. Feingold was released until sentencing but was ordered to surrender his passport and his DEA number in order to prevent him from writing prescriptions for controlled substances. Sentencing is scheduled for August 10, 2004 at 4 p.m.

The prosecution was handled by Taj Rahi-Loo, Assistant United States Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.