New York psychiatrist Marvin Korn charged with controlled substance felonies

September 6, 2013

A Larchmont (New York) psychiatrist faces multiple felony charges for dispensing prescriptions for controlled substances without adequate patient exams.

Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore and DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian R. Crowell announced Thursday that Marvin L. Korn, M.D., of West Garden Road in Larchmont was arraigned on three counts of criminal sale of a prescription for a controlled substance, class "C" felonies.

If convicted, Korn faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison on each of the counts.

According to the prosecutors, Korn routinely "sold" prescriptions to undercover agents for various controlled substances over an 18-month period. There was allegedly little or no patient examination or consultation before the prescription was written.

The average time a "patient" would spend in the doctor's office was less than 10 minutes, during which Korn failed to gather basic or essential clinical information. His follow-up assessments were also deemed inadequate according to acceptable community standards, prosecutors said, because the history Korn obtained was insufficient to make a reasoned treatment decision.

Korn's arrest was the result of a six-month long undercover investigation by the DiFiore's offce and the Drug Enforcement Administration's Tactical Diversion Squad, the New York City Police Department, Town of Orangetown Police Department and Westchester County Police Department, along with the Town of Mamaroneck Police, Harrison Police and the New York State Police.

There were allegedly numerous transactions made between Korn and undercover officers regarding the sale of prescriptions for various controlled drugs that in turn were filled by pharmacies throughout the Metropolitan area.

The controlled substances included:

    Clonazepam
    Lorazepam
    Zaleplon
    Lunesta
    Adderall
    Zolpidem
    Oxycontin
    Oxycodone
    Diazepam
    Xanax
    Ritalin
    Ambien
    Valium

"One of the most significant challenges law enforcement faces today is the alarming increase in the abuse of prescription drugs. To have a medical professional, who is bound by an oath to adhere to the highest moral, ethical, and legal principles and fully aware of the power of these controlled substances abusing his privileges, is a total betrayal of his profession. The team work at all levels of law enforcement, local, state and federal was instrumental in the ultimate takedown of this defendant." Fiore said.

Korn was arraigned and bail was set at $1,500 cash or $5,000 bond. His next court date is Monday, Sept. 9 in the Town of Mamaroneck.

Additional charges are expected.

Source: Michael Woyton,"DA: Larchmont Psychiatrist Doled Out Prescriptions Without Exams," Larchmont-Mamaroneck Patch, September 5, 2013.