Doctor Pleads Guilty To Federal Drug Trafficking

WEST HOLLYWOOD (AP) — A West Hollywood doctor pleaded guilty Monday to federal drug trafficking charges for writing hundreds of prescriptions despite a federal order revoking his authority to prescribe drugs.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Barron said James William Eisenberg, 72, pleaded guilty to one count distribution of hydrocodone — the generic name for Vicodin and Norco.

Between December 2011 and February 2013, Eisenberg worked out of medical marijuana clinics in and around West Hollywood. Authorities say he wrote prescriptions for controlled substances despite being ordered by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents to stop because he had prescribed controlled substances "outside the scope of professional practice and without legitimate medical need" while working at a medical marijuana clinic in Arizona. His license was permanently revoked in July 2012.

"Here you have a guy who was clearly ordered to stop ... and he turned around within a couple weeks and started writing these prescriptions in California," Barron said. "I hope this case sends the message that this conduct is not acceptable."

An attorney for Eisenberg could not immediately be reached for comment.

Eisenberg faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced in December.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)