Psychiatrist Peter Steiner

United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Kentucky
PRESS RELEASE
Louisville Physician Sentenced To 5 Years In Federal Prison For Unlawfully Distributing And Dispensing Controlled Substances
Friday, February 26, 2021

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Kentucky

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – United States District Court Judge David J. Hale sentenced Louisville physician Peter Steiner to 60 months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release for knowingly and intentionally distributing and dispensing Schedule II, Schedule III and Schedule IV controlled substances without any legitimate medical purpose and outside the course of professional medical practice, announced Acting United States Attorney Michael A. Bennett.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Steiner was also ordered to forfeit $225,000. 

Steiner admitted that he prescribed high dosages and large quantities of controlled substances, prescribed early refills for controlled substances, continued to prescribe controlled substances to patients even though he knew they were addicted, continued to prescribe controlled substances to patients even though he knew they tested negative for those substances, prescribed controlled substances in return for sexually graphic photos and videos, prescribed controlled substances that were contraindicated for patient medical concerns, prescribed controlled substances not typically associated with psychiatric complaints, and prescribed dangerous combinations of controlled substances.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Wesier and Joseph Ansari.  The case  was investigated by the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD), Kentucky State Police (KSP), Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Inspector General (KY CHFS-OIG), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Drug Diversion Section, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).