ATLANTA (AP) - A former medical examiner for seven Georgia counties has been charged with illegally distributing opioids.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Joe Burton was arrested Oct. 11 on a criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Drug Enforcement Administration Officer Raymond Baker said in an affidavit that his investigation concluded Burton exchanged prescriptions for sexual favors.
Federal prosecutors filed a forfeiture motion to seize Burton’s private pathology and medical practice in Alpharetta. The filing says Burton issued 1,107 opioid prescriptions between July 2015 and Aug. 12, amounting to 108,850 individual doses. Prosecutors say agents learned that many of those doses were resold or diverted.
Jeff Brickman represented Burton at his bond hearing and highlighted the doctor and licensed forensic pathologist’s prominent reputation and work for local prosecutors.
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Information from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, https://www.ajc.com
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