SD Doctor Gets Supervised Release for Writing Fake Prescriptions

A San Diego dermatologist has been sentenced for writing fraudulent prescriptions. 

Dermatologist Dr. Matthew Cole got time served and one year of federal supervised release for writing prescriptions of oxycodone, Xanax, and Ambien for friends and his wife.

A plea agreement listed 39 separate prescriptions, amounting to more than 1800 tablets.

Cole and his wife, Shireen Cole, both 37, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to acquire controlled substances by fraud, deception and subterfuge.

In total, prosecutors said the Coles acquired 1,820 tablets of drugs, 1,280 of which were oxycodone and the others were Ambien and Xanax.

The defendant, who faced a maximum penalty of four years in prison, enrolled in a drug treatment program.

Cole had offices in San Diego and National City at the time of his guilty plea. 

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