SANTA CLARA —California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the arrest of Dr. Arash Padidar, a doctor from Santa Clara County who is accused of illegally prescribing opioids to patients. The charges stem from a two-year-long investigation by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) into an alleged scheme involving the highly addictive pain medication Norco.
DOJ agents arrested Padidar and has been booked into the Santa Clara County Jail. He is now facing seven felony counts for actions carried out between October 2018 and October 2020. The charges include obtaining opioids through fraud, deceit, and misrepresentation, issuing prescriptions without legitimate medical reasons, forging prescriptions, unlawfully using personal information, and conspiracy to commit a crime.
In a statement, Attorney General Bonta expressed the gravity of the case: “Doctors are trusted with the immense responsibility of protecting our health and our lives. When a bad actor exploits their position for personal gain, they not only shatter our trust, they harm vulnerable patients. Let today’s arrest serve as a warning: The California Department of Justice will not tolerate abuses of power and will hold perpetrators accountable.”
Brian M. Clark, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge, also commented on the investigation, emphasizing the betrayal of trust by a healthcare professional who allegedly used forgery and fraud to obtain the addictive drugs for personal benefit. He praised the exceptional work of CA DOJ Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse and DEA Diversion in the investigation.
The Division of Medi-Cal Fraud & Elder Abuse (DMFEA) conducted the investigation and arrest, having been alerted to the crimes by the DEA. This case underscores the ongoing challenge of prescription drug abuse and the necessity for robust oversight and law enforcement to ensure that healthcare professionals uphold their responsibilities and maintain public trust.