“THE federal government issued a sensational press release which was calculated to embarrass, defame, intimidate and improperly sway public opinion against a good physician who refused to capitulate to the demands of the federal government,” attorney Steven Pixley said on Wednesday, referring to Dr. John Doyle.
Pixley said Doyle is standing up to the federal government and he is prepared to successfully defend Doyle in a court of law.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Districts of Guam and the NMI has filed a civil lawsuit against Doyle who is accused of dispensing opioids and controlled substances 73 times.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has asked the District Court for the NMI to order Doyle to pay civil penalties in the total amount of $4,936,771.
The prosecution also wants the court to issue an injunctive relief to address and restrain the defendant’s alleged violations of law.
Moreover, the prosecution is seeking post-judgment interest, costs, “and such other and further relief as the court deems just and proper.”
In a statement, Pixley stated that Doyle has “worked tirelessly over the years to provide excellent medical services to his patients and the people of the CNMI.”
He has worked closely with the CNMI government to protect our citizens against the Covid-19 pandemic, Pixley added.
“The evidence will show that the prescriptions in question were issued pursuant to a bona fide physician-patient relationship in the usual course of practice with a good faith belief that the prescriptions and his treatment plan served a legitimate medical purpose,” Pixley said.
According to the complaint, under the Controlled Substance Act, 21 U.S.C. §§ 801-904, Doyle allegedly issued multiple prescriptions for high quantities of a dangerous combination of drugs colloquially known as the “Holy Trinity” — opioids, benzodiazepines, and muscle relaxants — as well as other controlled substances to the spouse of a colleague, frequently without examining the patient.
He also allegedly issued other controlled substances to another patient, ignoring obvious signs of addiction and physical and mental health deterioration.
In a separate statement, Dr. Doyle said, “At no time did I ever give medicines for non-legitimate purposes nor would I.”
He also said that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is “not the Cavalry coming to rescue you from a rogue doctor. They are unethical and willing to bend, twist, obfuscate, scare people with impunity. I have no recourse against their vile statements. I can’t sue. I can only take out my wallet and try to defend myself. That is what I will do.”
