District attorney: If you have ever wondered how powerful prescription painkillers make their way to the street, this case provides the disturbing answer.

July 14, 2010

A Middleton psychiatrist was arrested yesterday morning and charged with writing prescriptions for cash payments.

Leonard Friedman, 73, was held on $50,000 bail and faces 14 counts of issuing prescriptions for Class B and Class C substances, according to a statement from Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s office. The crimes are punishable by up to 10 years in prison for Class B substances or five years for Class C substances.

“A doctor who trades addictive drugs for cash makes a mockery of the Hippocratic oath,’’ Conley said in the statement. “If you’ve ever wondered how powerful prescription painkillers make their way to the street, this case provides the disturbing answer.’’

The arrest stems from a 14-month investigation, during which an undercover US Drug Enforcement Administration agent allegedly received prescriptions from Friedman for Percocet, Roxicet, and Valium despite showing no symptoms that would require such medications. The agent paid Friedman $300 for his initial consultation and prescriptions and $200 for subsequent consultations, according to Conley’s office.

Friedman’s lawyer, Ingrid Martin, said she was not aware of any inappropriate prescriptions. Friedman has offices in Revere and at his home in Middleton.

“There’s no indication there were too many refills or that he was writing prescriptions for friends in an inappropriate manner,’’ Martin said.

Middleton police took in another resident at his home on charges of possession of firearms without a permit. Marc Butera, 32, was identified as a son-in-law of Friedman.

Source: Julie Balise, "Middleton psychiatrist arrested," Boston Globe, July 14, 2010.

IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT A PSYCHIATRIST, PSYCHOLOGIST, MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY OR ITS EMPLOYEES COMMITTING FRAUD, YOU CAN REPORT IT TO CITIZENS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS, WHO CAN ASSIST YOU IN FILING REPORTS, COMPLAINTS, ETC.  PLEASE CONTACT STEVE WAGNER, DIRECTOR OF LITIGATION AT [email protected]