Edmond Doctor Pays $64,000 to Settle Civil Penalty Claims Stemming from Allegations of Recordkeeping Violations

OKLAHOMA CITY – John Ross, MD (“Dr. Ross”), has paid $65,000 to settle civil penalty claims stemming from allegations that he violated the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (“Act”) and its regulations, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester.

Dr. Ross was employed as a urologist at OU Health Physicians Fountain Lake Urology Clinic (“Clinic”) in Edmond, Oklahoma. The United States alleges that from September 2021, through July 2022, Dr. Ross failed to maintain records for certain purchases of testosterone, a Schedule III controlled substance, that contained all the information required by the regulations promulgated by the Act. Dr. Ross also failed to report the Clinic as a practice location and failed to properly document one instance of the destruction of testosterone pellets. To resolve these allegations, Dr. Ross agreed to pay $65,000 to the United States.

In reaching this settlement, Dr. Ross did not admit liability, and the government did not make any concessions about the legitimacy of the claims. The agreement allows the parties to avoid the delay, expense, inconvenience, and uncertainty involved in litigating the case.

Recordkeeping is a vital part of managing controlled substances. Complete and accurate records help avoid diversions and losses of controlled drugs. A registrant who purchases controlled substances must comply with the inventory and purchase record requirements contained in the regulations implementing the Act. Failure to do so subjects the registrant to civil monetary penalties.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of Diversion Control. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ronald R. Gallegos and Amanda R. Johnson prosecuted the case.