Hawaii 'Dial-a-Doc' Pleads Guilty to Dispensing Drugs Without Medical Reason
Saturday, July 11, 2009
HONOLULU — A Kauai medical doctor who ran a Web site called "DIAL-A-DOC" has pleaded guilty in federal court to four counts of dispensing drugs in Hawaii without a legitimate medical purpose.
Dr. Harold Spear III also pleaded guilty Friday to a similar additional charge filed in Alabama, while agreeing to forfeit money seized in that investigation.
Spear faces a possible maximum 85 years in prison and $4.2 million in fines when he is sentenced Oct. 26.
U.S. Attorney Edward Kubo Jr. says Spear admitted illegally prescribing methadone to a Hawaii patient four times in 2005 and 2006, and illegally prescribing hydrocodone in the Alabama case.
