Physician Surrenders License And Sentenced To Probation
Pleads Guilty to Falsifying Information at Pain Management Clinics
PHOENIX, Ariz. - The DEA announced the sentencing of Dale Thomas Ratcliffe, a former Doctor of Osteopathy, to 5 years’ probation and the surrender of his medical license, after Ratcliffe was indicted on multiple federal charges earlier this year. Ratcliffe plead guilty to conspiracy to furnish false information after the DEA’s long-term investigation revealed that while practicing as a board certified Pain Management Specialist in Phoenix and Tucson, Ratcliffe falsified records to conceal prescriptions for diverted opioids and other controlled substances.
The DEA investigation of Ratcliffe began in June 2015, after he was stopped by troopers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety and found in possession of methamphetamine and vials of morphine. DEA’s Diversion Investigators examined the regulatory documents related to the controlled substances and discovered a diversion scheme dating back to January 2013. The diverted substances included oxycodone, Adderall, alprazolam and Edular.
Ratcliffe surrendered his DEA registration and his osteopathic medical license as a result of the investigation. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.
