Tag: Dr. Michael Kostenko

Doctor Charged in Oxycodone Deaths Backs out of Plea Deal

A Raleigh County doctor accused of illegally distributing painkillers to three patients who later died has backed out of a plea deal.Oxycodone

Dr. Michael Kostenko was expected to enter into a deal with prosecutors on Monday and plead guilty to one count of distribution. Instead, Kostenko pleaded not guilty.

Kostenko, who ran Coal Country Clinic in Daniels, faces multiple counts of distribution charges, including three counts of distributing oxycodone that resulted in the deaths of three patients.

His license was initially suspended last March after the West Virginia Board of Osteopathic Medicine found probable cause of unprofessional and unethical conduct. The board later voted to revoke his license.

Kostenko remains in jail. His trial is set for April 24.

Doctor Facing Federal Charges After Oxycodone Deaths

A doctor who ran a drug clinic in Raleigh County has been accused of illegally distributing oxycodone to three patients who later died.

The Register-Herald reports Dr. Michael Kostenko was arrested Wednesday on numerous federal charges, including three counts of distributing oxycodone that resulted in the deaths of three patients.

Kostenko’s medical license was initially suspended in March after the West Virginia Board of Osteopathic Medicine found probable cause of unprofessional and unethical conduct. The board later voted to revoke his license.

Kostenko argued his files at the Coal Country Clinic in Daniels didn’t directly document the fact that he had examined patients, performed screens and discharged patients who didn’t follow their contract.

Kostenko’s attorney and daughter, Christina Kostenko, called the charges “fraudulent” and said the investigation is “unjustified.”

Hearing Examiner Recommends Suspending Doctor's License

  The hearing examiner for the West Virginia Osteopathic Board of Medicine has recommended suspending the license of a doctor accused of failing to meet care standards.

The Register-Herald reports that on June 2 hearing examiner Jennifer Taylor recommended suspending Dr. Michael Kostenko’s license for no more than five years. She also recommended that Kostenko be prohibited from practicing medicine in West Virginia during that time.

Taylor accused Kostenko of prescribing controlled substances without proper documentation about examinations, diagnoses, bases of treatment and treatment plans. She also says Kostenko failed to meet the standards of care in treating three patients who died from drug overdoses.

Taylor submitted her recommendation after reviewing findings from Assistant Attorney General Jennifer K. Akers and Kostenko’s attorney.

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