California doc charged with murder after patients overdose on prescription drugs

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

A closeup of some pills pouring out of a prescription bottle.

iStockphoto

(CBS/AP) LOS ANGELES - A doctor in California was arrested and charged with second-degree murder Thursday after three of her patients died from prescription drug overdoses.

Authorities say Dr. Hsui-Ying "Lisa" Tseng passed out prescriptions for drugs like Xanax and OxyContin, Vicodin and Adderall at a rate of 25 per day for three years, with only cursory patient examinations and a minimum of questions.

Tseng was reportedly being investigated for years, first coming under scrutiny by the California Medical Board and the DEA in 2008 after a pharmacy reported problems with her prescriptions.

The DEA suspended her license to write prescriptions in 2010 and the Osteopathic Medical Board of California said Tseng voluntarily surrendered her medical license.

Now Tseng is accused of murder in connection to the deaths of 29-year-old Vu Nguyen, 25-year-old Steven Ogle and 21-year-old Joseph Rovero III, all otherwise healthy men who died in 2009. She was being held on $3 million bail and could face a state prison term of 45 years to life if convicted

District Attorney Steve Cooley said in a written statement that the case highlights the problem of patients who "die while the doctor gets rich."

In addition to the murder charges, Tseng is charged with 21 other felony counts, including four involving undercover DEA agents, alleging she prescribed drugs using fraud and without a legitimate purpose. She is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday.

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by Valhalla0907 March 4, 2012 12:45 PM EST: She won't serve much time, they really want to seize her money!; Reply to this comment


by npvere March 4, 2012 9:13 AM EST: VA_Jill

I've been on prescription pain relievers for almost 10 years. Even the most careful person has moments of not being able to remember whether or not they took their pills, or being in such pain that they take a second or third pill to stop the agony. Most doctors understand this and prescribe accordingly. This woman sounds careless. Yes, no doubt a lot of her patients are addicts, but I'll bet that a substantial number are people who need more pain relief than their doctors are willing to prescribe.

Disclosure: I have had prescriptions for Oxycontin and Oxycodone, but I didn't like the side effects so I stopped taking them.; Reply to this comment


by kadesmom4ever March 4, 2012 5:51 AM EST: To VA_Jill,
You obviously have no clue about addiction or you wouldn't be saying the "cause of death should be listed as stupidity" My son died of an overdose. You better just thank God addiction has not touched your life. There are two sides to every story. Addiction is a disease just like diabetes and cancer. It's a fact. Look it up.; Reply to this comment


by smittyc March 3, 2012 3:42 PM EST: A health care professionals job is to provide health services to a patient, not over prescribe addicting drugs. That practice makes them a drug dealer, not a doctor or a pharmacist. The physician should have directed those addicts to a detox center and should have notified authorities about their drug seeking. The Doctor and any pharmacist that filled those prescriptions belong in jail, they acted outside the scope of their licenses and enabled drug addicts.; Reply to this comment


by smittyc March 3, 2012 3:22 PM EST: Three deaths all young people. Hopefully those who filled the Rx get charged as well, the whole crowd deserves jail, this was clearly a for profit crime, by the Doctor, the pharmacy and the pharmacist. Everyone involved was taught never to do this.; Reply to this comment

by VA_Jill March 3, 2012 10:32 AM EST

People who exceed the prescribed dosage of ANY medication are stupid and if they die, their cause of death should be listed as "stupidity." The doctor may have been prescribing loosely, but once a person gets a drug (legally or illegally, doesn't matter) and decides to OD on it, it's their own damn fault. Murder charges should not apply.

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by SJC_33 March 3, 2012 11:53 AM EST: I agree, personal responsibility comes into play here. Those people sought out the doctor and did not use the medications as prescribed.


by askagain March 5, 2012 2:42 AM EST: SJC_33 - Although these people sought out the doctor, she prescribed the pills. Doctors have an obligation not to do harm. She obviously ignored that obligation and enabled these people to overdose. This doctor probably did it for the money which would make it even worse. The doctor should serve a long jail sentence and being charged with second degree murder is appropriate. Hopefully it will send a loud message to other doctors who might prescribe pills recklously.