Settlement Bars Two From DEA Registration

Overview

Douglas Cline, MD, and nurse practitioner Laurie McKenna have agreed to a $500,000 civil settlement due to unlawful opioid prescribing practices. As part of the settlement, they are barred from applying for DEA registration to prescribe controlled substances for 20 years.

Background

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that former New York physician Douglas Cline, MD, and nurse practitioner Laurie McKenna agreed to a $500,000 civil settlement stemming from allegations of unlawful opioid prescribing and a related fraudulent conveyance case. The agreement describes a prescribing model in which some patients received high-dose opioid therapy, frequently combined with other controlled substances, while prescription access remained tied to recurring office payments despite the absence of regular provider examinations.

Data Highlights

No numerical data or trial data available in the source material.

Key Findings

• Dr. Cline and McKenna engaged in high-dose opioid prescribing without regular patient evaluations.
• Patients continued to receive prescriptions tied to recurring appointment payments.
• The settlement is part of the DOJ's 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
• Dr. Cline allegedly transferred assets to hinder federal recovery after learning of the investigation.
• The settlement resolves allegations of both unlawful opioid prescribing and fraudulent asset conveyance.

Clinical Implications

The case highlights the legal and ethical responsibilities associated with prescribing controlled substances.

Conclusion

The settlement addresses allegations of unlawful opioid prescribing and fraudulent asset conveyance.

Related Resources & Content

1. United States Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA, 2023 -- Settlement Bars Two From DEA Registration
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8. Continuing Opioid Therapy | Overdose Prevention | CDC
9. Impact of Treatment Duration on the Effectiveness of Opioid Analgesia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - PubMed
10. Association Between Opioid Dosage Tapering and Opioid Overdose Among Long-Term Higher-Dose Opioid Users - ScienceDirect