Leonard Friedman

Boston Globe
Middleton psychiatrist arrested
By Julie Balise
July 14, 2010

— Excerpt

A Middleton psychiatrist was arrested yesterday morning and charged with writing prescriptions for cash payments.

Leonard Friedman, 73, was held on $50,000 bail and faces 14 counts of issuing prescriptions for Class B and Class C substances, according to a statement from Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s office. The crimes are punishable by up to 10 years in prison for Class B substances or five years for Class C substances.

“A doctor who trades addictive drugs for cash makes a mockery of the Hippocratic oath,’’ Conley said in the statement. “If you’ve ever wondered how powerful prescription painkillers make their way to the street, this case provides the disturbing answer.’’

The arrest stems from a 14-month investigation, during which an undercover US Drug Enforcement Administration agent allegedly received prescriptions from Friedman for Percocet, Roxicet, and Valium despite showing no symptoms that would require such medications. The agent paid Friedman $300 for his initial consultation and prescriptions and $200 for subsequent consultations, according to Conley’s office…