Pubdate: Fri, 31 Dec 2004 Source: Kentucky Post (KY) Copyright: 2004 Kentucky Post Contact: http://www.kypost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/661 Author: Kevin Eigelbach Note: Addresses removed by mapinc editor FEDERAL SUIT OF DOCTOR SETTLED A local doctor investigated for his prescription-writing practices has settled a forfeiture case brought against him by the federal government. Dr. Ghassan Haj-Hamed's attorney, Bob Carran, said he hopes the settlement will end any questions about the doctor's practice. The government sued the doctor in September 2002, saying his Riverside Medical Clinics and Urgent Care Centers were connected with illegal drug transactions. The settlement agreed on earlier this month calls for the doctor to surrender the properties at (Address omitted), plus $17,325 and two Mercedes Benz automobiles. But the government agreed to give up claims to three properties: (Addresses omitted) The government also relinquished its claim to $133,000 in bank accounts in the doctor's name or the names of family members. The doctor settled the case because he felt compelled to, Carran said. When the government can take away or seize everything someone has even before bringing a criminal charge against him, and then follow up by sending him tax bills he can't pay because the government has his property, it "inevitably puts the person in a position where they have to settle," Carran said. "Dr. Haj-Hamed settled. He's giving up some of the property, but he's getting back enough to pay his tax bills and the debts he incurred while his property was seized." Asked if the government was pursuing a criminal case against Haj-Hamed, Carran said he couldn't answer for the United States. David Olinger Jr., the assistant U.S. attorney in charge of the case, couldn't be reached for comment on Thursday afternoon. According to federal court documents, drug enforcement agencies started receiving complaints about Haj-Hamed's clinics late in 2000. A Drug Enforcement Agency agent said in an affidavit that the doctor illegally prescribed controlled substances that were resold on the illegal drug market. A DEA agent told the court he believed the doctor had concealed some profits from his alleged illegal activities by putting money in his daughter's and wife's bank accounts. "Dr. Haj-Hamed has amassed great wealth through his practice of illegally prescribing prescription medication," the agent wrote in an affidavit. The Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure suspended Haj-Hamed's license to practice medicine in February 2003, but reinstated it in August with restrictions. Ohio suspended his license in April. He cannot practice at his Bellevue and Falmouth clinics or at those in West Chester Township in Butler County, Ohio, and the Cincinnati neighborhood of Oakley. The Syrian national can practice only at Tri-State Urgent Care in Cold Spring. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh