Michael Jackson's doctor is reprimanded by California medical board [Updated]

The California medical board has reprimanded Michael Jackson's personal physician for failing to notify Nevada medical board officials that he had fallen behind in his child support payments, echoing a previous reprimand issued against the doctor by the Nevada board last year.

Dr. Conrad Murray failed to notify the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners that his child support payments were in arrears as required when he renewed his medical license in 2007 and 2009, according to the California board’s public letter of reprimand, filed Friday and made public Monday.

The letter noted that Murray’s actions constituted a violation of California law concerning “unprofessional conduct,” grounds for a reprimand.

A public reprimand is a lesser form of discipline doctors can negotiate for minor violations to avoid formal charges.

Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with Jackson’s death.

Jackson died June 25, 2009, of an overdose of the surgical anesthetic propofol, which Murray has acknowledged using to treat his insomnia. Murray’s lawyers have suggested Jackson injected or drank a fatal amount of the drug when the physician wasn't looking. Prosecutors contend that Murray violated the standards of medical care by administering the drug improperly and concealing his actions after the singer died.

Murray is still licensed in California, Nevada and Texas, although he faces discipline and restrictions.
Murray’s California medical license, issued in 1991, was suspended by a Los Angeles County judge in January until the end of his criminal case. Texas officials restricted his medical license in April, Nevada officials in June, to bar him from administering propofol and other heavy sedative medications.
Murray’s trial is scheduled to begin March 24 in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

[Update 4:40 pm.: Murray’s Houston-based attorney, Charles Peckham, said he and Murray agreed to the letter of reprimand after negotiations with lawyers representing the medical board.

At the time Murray submitted his Nevada license renewals, Peckham said, he “was in the middle of negotiating a child support settlement” and “didn’t realize he was out of compliance with child support.”

Instead of arguing the point before the medical board, “we agreed to disagree and agreed to a paper reprimand,” Peckham said.

Peckham said Murray’s licenses in Nevada and Texas are still active.]

-- Molly Hennessy-Fiske

Follow Molly Hennessy-Fiske on Twitter @mollyhf.

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Comments

[christy_C_A]

Go to jail Murray, just go to jail. Murray needs to never pratice medicine again, ever. It does not matter what you do or dont think about MJ. The point is - Murray was the "dr" he had a choice too, he had an oath to uphold and he did not do it. He waited too long to call 911, performed CPR incorrectly, played on his cell phone while he was supposed to be monsitring MJ - among other things. He also lied to EMTs and the hostpiral and with held info - he did not with hold that info on accident, that was done on purpose. I hope he goes away for long time, he should! If he had done this to my family member, he would not be walking around w/ that smug look on his face. His actions resulted in death.

[Tiff]

I miss Michael! I wish he was still here! It just seems unfair that he is not getting the justice he deserves. You can not replace anyone who passes away. Dr. Murray is getting is four years for what he did to Michael! Even if Michael asked him for propofol, it was wrong for Dr. Murray to give that to him! That is not standard practice! A doctor is suppose to advise the patient! RIP Michael Jackson! I hope you get the justice you deserve!

[christy_C_A]

Tiff, I hear you loud and clear, I agree w/ you fully #Justice4MJ

[Smitmarv]

This guy needs to be put away already! No matter how you slice it, Murray is the one responsible and took an oath to do no harm. There is no excuse for his actions. Not even "I'm treating the super star Michael Jackson" is a good enough of an excuse for what he did.

I thought his license was taken away in California but not in Nevada and Texas. Check the facts.

[MJ-poor_guy]

Any medical board (sorry, I do not remember which one exactly) reported last year that Murray's license is NOT VALID because HE HAD CONCEALED IN TOTAL in his application for renewal of his license that he has to pay maintenance for children.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN CALIDORNIA?

This guy keeps secret maintenance obligations, keeps secret key drugs, he has given to a patient - and strutting for the past 2 years unmolested through the area?

[Tanicia]

He was repremanded for not notifying the board of being behind in his payments? What about letting Michael Jackson die under his care? Does that count for anything? How low it is for these sleazy lawyers to suggest that Michael administered the drug to himself!! If he was that way inclined he would not have paid such a hefty fee to have a "doctor" look after him. Michael trusted this man with his life - LITERALLY! Justice for Michael Jackson. Though it does not bring him back it will stop this fool from killing another person.

[MIJACology]

Conman is going down.

[Lady J]

Isn't it amazing? Murray has an excuse for everything. Well, he who makes excuses does little else.

[SRC]

OOOOH! A reprimand! Way to shake a finger at this guy. What about taking away his license FOREVER and locking him up?

[juney]

Additionally, Murray is behind in property taxes on his condo in Red Rock (owned by Colony Capital) in Vegas, per records in Clark County Recorder's Office. But all these "reprimand" letters do nothing; someone will bail him out of his "situations" and he won't serve a day. He needs to confess to his outrageous actions that took the life of a beautiful soul missed mightily by his humanity.

[Karen in Houston]

What Dr. Murray did is no different than putting a gun to someone's head and pulling the trigger. He deserves a much stronger sentence if he ever makes it to trial. There are first offenders on lessor charges with longer sentences!!!!! California justice stinks!!!!

[S]

Once again Murray is lying. What a suprise!

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