Florida Doctor Faces New Steroid Charges

07.27.07

ALBANY, N.Y. - A Florida doctor accused in March of participating in a multistate steroid distribution ring was arraigned on new counts Friday.

Prosecutors claim that Robert Carlson, 50, of Sarasota, Fla., issued illegal prescriptions for controlled substances while working for Palm Beach Rejuvenation, which is described in indictments as a criminal associate of Signature Pharmacy. The Orlando pharmacy is at the center of a probe that has resulted in guilty pleas from eight people from Texas, Florida and New York.

About a half-dozen other people have cases pending against them, including three more linked to Palm Beach Rejuvenation.

Originally charged with seven counts, a superseding indictment lists 28 counts against Carlson, including one count of first-degree criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions and nine counts of fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.

Carlson pleaded not guilty and was released on $10,000 bail.