Glen Head Doctor and His Son Charged with Illegally Selling Prescriptions for Controlled Substances
Eric Taubman allegedly sent names and medication requests to his father, Richard Taubman, who allegedly wrote prescriptions for those individuals without performing medical examinations
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Drug Enforcement Administration New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam and Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Glen Head doctor and his son were charged with allegedly selling dozens of prescriptions for opioids, amphetamines, and benzodiazepines without a legitimate medical purpose.
Richard, 71, and Eric Taubman, 33, were arraigned today before Judge William Bodkin on charges of 20 counts of Criminal Sale of a Prescription for a Controlled Substance or of a Controlled Substance by a Practitioner or Pharmacist (a C felony); three counts of Attempted Criminal Sale of a Prescription for a Controlled Substance or of a Controlled Substance by a Practitioner or Pharmacist (a D felony); and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree (an E felony).
The defendants pleaded not guilty and were released on their own recognizance. They are due back in court on May 7, 2026. If convicted, the defendants face up to 5-1/2 years in prison.
“Today’s arraignment of Doctor Richard Taubman and his son, Eric, for their alleged scheme to unlawfully distribute controlled substance prescriptions, placing profits above public health, is not only reckless and dangerous, but unconscionable” stated DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam. “Medical professionals are entrusted with protecting patients’ lives, not destroying them by exploiting them to addiction and harm. This type of behavior will never be tolerated. I commend the work of our DEA Long Island SPEAR team alongside the Nassau County District Attorney’s office, for pursuing those who drive and profit from the ongoing opioid crisis.”
“Richard Taubman, and his son, Eric Taubman, allegedly operated a family-run distribution hub for controlled substances,” said DA Donnelly. “By allegedly treating high-potency opioids, amphetamines, and benzodiazepines like casual favors for friends, these defendants demonstrated an unsettling disregard for the realities of the ongoing substance abuse crisis and betrayed the community’s trust. I want to thank the DEA for their tireless work in our joint investigation to shutter this operation. My office is committed to holding accountable any individual who chooses profit over the health and safety of others.”
DA Donnelly said that, according to the investigation, in July 2022, a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) tipline received several reports from pharmacist employees working at Queens pharmacies.
These callers expressed concern regarding a suspicious number of opiate prescriptions and controlled substances written by Richard Taubman, a retired Great Neck obstetrician and gynecologist who returned to practice at a non-surgical weight loss center in Islandia, Suffolk County, in early 2022.
Following a preliminary investigation, Richard Taubman was stripped of his ability to prescribe controlled substances in August 2022.
The DEA and Nassau County District Attorney’s Office subsequently conducted an extensive, multi-year joint investigation that included multiple interviews, pharmacy record requests, and other evidence.
This investigation revealed that between April 5, 2022, and June 29, 2022, Richard Taubman allegedly wrote dozens of prescriptions for controlled substances for multiple individuals without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the course of his practice.
His son, Eric Taubman, allegedly acted as an intermediary by providing Richard Taubman with the personal information and medication requests of his friends and acquaintances.
According to the investigation, Richard Taubman allegedly issued those prescriptions without conducting medical evaluations and submitted them electronically from his home in Glen Head to various pharmacies throughout Queens.
Eric Taubman was allegedly paid by the individuals for the illegitimate prescriptions.
During this three-month period, Richard Taubman allegedly prescribed hundreds of pills to numerous individuals. These prescriptions consisted of oxycodone-acetaminophen (commonly known as Percocet), dextroamphetamine-amphetamine (commonly known as Adderall), and alprazolam (commonly known as Xanax).
The investigation also revealed that some individuals allegedly kept the prescriptions for personal use, sold the pills for profit, or traded the controlled substances for cash and drugs, such as marijuana.
Richard and Eric Taubman surrendered to NCDA detective investigators on April 30, 2026.
NCDA thanks the DEA and the New York State Department of Health’s Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement for their partnership in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Pharmaceutical Diversion and Cyber Crimes Unit Chief Heather Kalachman of the Organized Crime and Rackets Bureau under the supervision of Bureau Chief Jeremy Glicksman, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Investigations Division Rick Whelan. The defendants are represented by Vincent Bianco, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
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