A doctor and his son have been charged for allegedly operating a family-run pharmaceutical business in New York, with authorities describing their actions as a serious misuse of medical authority that contributed to the illegal distribution of prescription medications.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that the doctor, over a span of three months in 2022, is accused of issuing fraudulent prescriptions for addictive drugs without ever consulting the patients. Meanwhile, his son is said to have handled transactions, finding buyers and collecting payments as part of this operation.
The drugs involved include well-known substances like Percocet, Adderall, and Xanax. Dr. Richard Taubman, 71, a retired physician, and his 33-year-old son Eric Taubman turned themselves in to investigators from the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office following a lengthy joint investigation.
“Their decision to prioritize profit over public safety, distributing prescriptions for controlled substances, is not only irresponsible but also shocking,” stated Farhana Islam, a special agent in charge at the DEA New York Enforcement Division.
In early 2022, the father, who previously practiced obstetrics and gynecology, resumed work at a weight loss clinic in Suffolk County after retirement, according to DEA sources.
Investigators claim that from April 5 to June 29, 2022, Taubman wrote numerous prescriptions without legitimate medical reasons, often sending them electronically from his home in Glen Head to various pharmacies in Queens.
Separately, his son reportedly supplied him with personal details about acquaintances who were requesting drugs.
Reports from pharmacists triggered further investigation, leading the DEA to revoke the father’s prescription license about a month later. Some individuals reportedly passed on the drugs, selling them for profit or using them themselves.
Both defendants entered pleas of not guilty to several charges in court. They face 23 counts related to illegal sales of prescriptions and one count of conspiracy to carry out the scheme. If found guilty, they could face significant prison time, potentially up to five and a half years.
