Ex-Minnesota dentist settles suit over opioid prescriptions | State News

MAPLEWOOD, Minn. (AP) — A former Maplewood dentist settled a civil lawsuit alleging he wrote illegal prescriptions for opioid painkillers, including some for his own son and an employee.

Announcing the settlement Friday, federal prosecutors said Jerry K. Brunsoman and the business he operated, the Idealskin Laser Rejuvination Center, will pay $75,000 in penalties in exchange for not admitting guilt. The Star Tribune reports the Minnesota Board of Dentistry last year stripped the 77-year-old former dentist of his U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Registry.

Prosecutors said in the lawsuit that Brunsoman issued 36 oxycodone pills to a laser technician at his business over a three-day period without documenting a rationale for the prescriptions or having proof of examining the employee. The lawsuit alleges Brunsoman did the same with his adult son when Brunsoman issued 30 tablets on three occasions from December 2015 to July 2016.

Prosecutors accused Brunsoman of repeated and systemic violations of the Controlled Substances Act.

“As a result of Brunsoman’s violations of the CSA, hundreds of doses of controlled substances are unaccounted for and presumed to have been diverted for illicit purposes,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela Marentette wrote in the complaint.

Prosecutors alleged the former dentist did not keep complete and accurate records of receiving and dispensing controlled substances, including powerful painkillers like fentanyl.

“Doctors are held to a certain standard and are not expected to disregard controlled substance laws and regulations,” said William Stockman, DEA Omaha Division Diversion Program manager.

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Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com

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