Winter Park doctor gets probation in prescription pill-mill investigation

AWinter Park doctor arrested in one of Central Florida’s first pill-mill investigations was sentenced to probation Wednesday.

Michael Moyer was accused of prescribing powerful painkillers and muscle relaxers to a police informant without a valid medical reason.

The Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation began investigating Moyer after receiving a series of tips in 2008 about his prescribing practices.

Court records show a Costco pharmacist told agents an employee followed one of Moyer’s patients out of the store after he filled a prescription for oxycodone, and then watched as he appeared to trade the drugs for cash with a man outside.

Another tip was from a mother who said her 23-year- old son was addicted to drugs and Moyer was handing out painkillers “like candy.”

Agents sent an informant to Moyer’s office in an Aloma Avenue business center, and authorities said that during each visit, Moyer prescribed the informant painkillers and muscle relaxers without a valid medical reason.

He was arrested in June 2010 on multiple drug charges, including trafficking in oxycodone.

But this month, state prosecutors modified the charges in the case, charging Moyer with racketeering.

He pleaded no contest to the racketeering charge in an agreement that called for 15 years’ probation. The plea allows Moyer to avoid a potential 25-year prison term.

As part of the plea, Moyer must perform 200 hours of community service, is not allowed to associate with a pain-management clinic, and must keep a log of all the controlled substances he prescribes.

Moyer also was ordered to pay nearly $15,000 in investigative costs to the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, a $10,000 fine, and roughly $1,100 in court and prosecution costs.

Moyer is the second physician in recent weeks to plead no contest to a racketeering charge and receive probation.