Orange County Doctor Accused Of Selling Oxycodone Prescriptions For Cash
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Federal agents on Friday said a Westchester County doctor sold painkiller prescriptions from inside his car, while so-called patients lined up in a parking lot.
As CBS2's Lou Young reported, psychiatrist Dr. Alfred Ramirez faced a judge Friday, and received high bail, in a case that includes a fatal drug overdose.
An attorney for Ramirez said his 78-year-old client is more confused than criminal. The Orange County psychiatrist was arraigned in White Plains Friday on federal charges of selling oxycodone prescriptions for cash, as clients lined up and federal agents took notes.
"He got into the area of pain management medication, because it's an area that he felt was underserved," said attorney Josh Povill.
Ramirez is charged with selling roughly 10,900 of the powerful pain pills to dealers, who then resold them on the street.
Pills obtained under Ramirez's signature were found in the home of Yonkers teacher Daren Gajdusek, who was using them to quit drinking and self-medicate for depression. Gajdusek died of a drug overdose – a tragedy just when his life seemed to be coming back.
"Everything fell into place, and he was buying a car, and he was teaching, and he was going on vacation, you know, so he was good," said Adele McCarthy, a friend of Gajdusek's. "And then it all ended."
Ramirez has a criminal history of defrauding Medicaid, and investigators believe the prescription abuse goes back decades.
His defense apparently will hinge on his advanced age and failing health.
"He wasn't aware of his own limitations, potentially," Povill said.
Fearing the Filipino-born doctor could try to leave the country, a judge set bond for Ramirez at $1.25 million. He was ordered placed under house arrest, with a GPS bracelet for tracking.
Ramirez is facing potential prison time that could amount to a life sentence given his age.
Agents said when they raided Ramirez's home, he had bags of cash totaling $325,000 stuffed in filing cabinets.