Lawyer-Pharmacist Suspended

An attorney who also was a pharmacist was suspended for three years by the New Jersey Supreme Court based on a criminal conviction involving drugs.

Respondent’s background is described in the report of the Disciplinary Review Board

During the relevant timeframe, between 2005 and 2021, respondent worked as a part-time pharmacist at Verree Pharmacy (Verree), in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Additionally, from 2014 through 2024, respondent practiced law as a part-time associate at Oxman Goodstadt Kurtz, P.C., which maintains offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Linwood, New Jersey.

In the criminal case

In urging the imposition of a six-month term of imprisonment, the  government emphasized that respondent, as a licensed and trained pharmacist, knowingly dispensed large quantities of oxycodone based on “forged” prescriptions, with “blatant red flags,” during the “span [of] several years.” Additionally, the government underscored how the forged prescription underlying the May 26, 2018 illicit transaction contained a name that was “written over,” a date “with a line across it,” and “some codes” which were “scribbled over.” Respondent, however, ignored those “red flags,” failed to conduct any due diligence to determine the validity of the prescription, and knowingly dispensed large quantities of opioids based on the forged prescription. Moreover, Verree’s records falsely indicated that respondent had billed “Workers’ Compensation” for the prescription, even though respondent, in fact, had accepted an $820 cash payment for the illicit transaction. By using “his skills and training to pump high quantities of dangerous drugs into the community,” the government argued that respondent had “perpetuated” the national opioid epidemic.

Respondent presented the character testimony of a long-time attorney colleague, who had employed respondent as a part-time associate at his law firm for approximately ten years. The colleague described respondent as “a good man” who had “own[ed] up to his mistake and accept[ed] responsibility for” his crime. The colleague also described respondent’s dedication to the practice of law and to the community, including establishing a youth travel sports organization. Further, respondent presented the character testimony of a long8 time family friend, who described respondent as “a man of exemplar[y] character.” The family friend also highlighted how respondent had dedicated his time to coach her son’s baseball team, and she noted that respondent served as a role model for his children.

Sanction

On balance, weighing respondent’s unique position as a licensed pharmacist in criminally distributing controlled substances to at least one individual against the lack of clear and convincing evidence that he had participated in a larger drug distribution scheme, we determine that a three-year suspension is the appropriate quantum of discipline necessary to protect the public and preserve confidence in the bar. Because respondent was temporarily suspended in connection with his misconduct underlying this matter, we also recommend that his three-year suspension be imposed retroactive to January 19, 2024, the date of his temporary suspension.

(Mike Frisch)