Anna Nicole Smith's physicians will fight efforts to bar them from practicing

Two physicians accused of over-prescribing addictive medication to Anna Nicole Smith will fight efforts by the state medical board to bar them from practicing medicine, lawyers for the doctors said Monday.

The board is expected to ask a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge Friday to order psychiatrist Khristine Eroshevich and internist Sandeep Kapoor to suspend their practices and give up their right to prescribe controlled substances as conditions of bail.

A judge ruled in October that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to try the two doctors and Smith’s longtime companion, Howard K. Stern, for conspiring to provide the model with excessive amounts of painkillers and other drugs in the years leading up to her fatal 2007 overdose. All three have pleaded not guilty. A trial is set for March.

A deputy attorney general wrote in court papers last month that the board was acting to stop the doctors from practicing in light of the evidence laid out against the trio in October.

“Waiting for a possible conviction to take action puts the public at risk,” Deputy Atty. Gen. E.A. Jones III wrote.

Kapoor’s lawyer questioned the board’s move, which came nine months after charges were filed. The timing “unfortunately suggests that the request may be tailored not for any legitimate purpose, but to deprive Dr. Kapoor of his livelihood and thus his ability to fund his defense,” wrote attorney Ellyn Garofalo.

-- Harriet Ryan

Comments

[Bluejeans]

Their job isn't to worry about Dr. Kapoor's ability to "fund his defense". Their job is to keep the public safe. Even a lawyer should be able to understand that.

[observer]

Is it just me, or does it strike anyone else as wierd that they have to go to court to suspend his license? It seems to me that it's the duty of the association/bar to protect patients from any doctor that poses a threat- while people are innocent until proven guilty, it's the association's perogative to protect people. I certainly know lawyers who have lost their licenses without convictions.
Just think of what would happen if doctors in this position were allowed to continue their practice and there was another ANS situation...

[belicoso]

What does it even matter if they are banned from practice? I see 2 possibly scenarios here, either they are sentenced to significant prison terms in which case they're not going to be practicing much medicine. Or, they manage to walk and their reputations are so tarnished that no one in their right mind would ever seek their medical attention. This is what happens when you act as fatal enablers to someone. But they were probably too blinded by the absurd idea of maybe getting a piece of Anna's ludicrous estate claim against the Marshall family......how'd that work out?

[Stop Worrying]

I don't think you could of over prescribed Anna Nicole if you know what I mean. She was out of her mind anyway.

[Noodlemonkey]

There is a third scenario in which they walk and every drug seeking celebrity and their minions become their clients. Better to lock them up and throw away the key.

[noodlemonyANDbelicoso]

get a life, both of you keep trolling message boards posting nonsense. you are pathetic story stalkers

[A patient]

Wow, this guy is getting railroaded. You people who are making these comments have no knowledge of this man, this case, and have no right to call for his head. I have been a patient of Dr. Kapoor's for several years. He has given me excellent medical care and is totally professional. The things I read in the tabloids seem to be about someone else entirely. Although I am younger, most of his patients are seniors. He took over the practice of Dr. Victor Kovner, a geriatrics specialist who retired. Kovner did a lot of studio work (meaning he was an on-set doctor) and that must be where he picked up Anna Nicole as a patient. Kapoor inherited her; it's not like he sought out a famous patient.
I hope he does not lose his license. I would not want to have to find another doctor. He's a good guy. Good luck, Dr. Kapoor.

[Janice]

Dr. Kapoor is a wonderful human being and an excellent physician. I have been seeing him since he took over the practice from Dr.Kovner. Many of my friends see him as well and we are all shocked that any charges have been brought against him. I think this is all about Jerry Brown trying to get his name in the news to help his campaign for governor. Taking away his right to practice will be a blow to all his patients and community.