FARMINGTON (AP) -- A Kaysville doctor who supplied his patients with drugs to feed drug addictions has been sentenced to 60 days in jail and ordered to serve 1,000 hours of community service.
Dr. David H. Workman pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of filing a fraudulent insurance claim and two counts of distributing a controlled substance, all third-degree felonies.Workman was accused of supplying several patients with the narcotic painkiller Lortab.
Second District Judge Michael Allphin said Monday that the jail time was meant to be a "reality check" for Workman, adding that the doctor held a position of trust in the community and he broke that trust.
Investigators also said that for more than a year, Workman -- who has been a general physician in Davis, Weber and Utah counties -- has used his wife's name as well as his 15-year-old son's to write out prescriptions for the opium-based nasal spray Stadol.
They said Workman is addicted to the narcotic spray.
The charge of insurance fraud stems from evidence that Workman allegedly charged $20,000 worth of the nose spray to his ex-wife's health insurance provider.
Workman told the judge Monday that he has sought treatment for his addiction and is eager to get back to practicing medicine.
Last September, Workman surrendered his license to prescribe narcotics. Workman's attorney, Aric Cramer, said his client can still prescribe most medications but will likely never again be allowed to prescribe narcotics.
The state Department of Licensing is considering revoking Workman's license to practice medicine in Utah.