Profession
Dr. Hurwitz convicted on 50 counts
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Jan. 17, 2005
A jury found noted pain specialist William E. Hurwitz, MD, of McLean, Va., guilty on 50 of the 62 counts against him at the U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., on Dec. 15, 2004.
The jury deliberated some 30 hours before convicting Dr. Hurwitz of conspiracy to traffic in controlled substances, drug trafficking resulting in death and other charges, some of which carry 20-year sentences.
Dr. Hurwitz was found not guilty of nine charges. including health care fraud.
A mistrial was declared on the other three counts against him.
Prosecutors said Dr. Hurwitz knowingly prescribed narcotics to patients who sold them on the streets, but his supporters said he treated patients in severe pain whom other physicians refused to treat.
An appeal is forthcoming. The New York City-based Pain Relief Network announced that it had a created a defense fund to help finance the effort and has a goal of raising $60,000.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/01/17/prbf0117.htm.
