One doctor from Little Falls and another from Paramus have agreed to give up their practices - at least temporarily - over allegations involving narcotics.
(Liz O. Baylen/Los Angeles Times/MCT) Two more doctors have had their medical licenses temporarily suspended because they over-prescribed addictive pain medicine, the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners announced.
The Little Falls offices of Byung Kang, who is described in online listings as a family practice doctor, were raided by the Drug Enforcement Agency and the N.J. Division of Criminal Justice this past May.
Based on their investigation, Kang was arrested the next day on the charge of second degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance. The allegations were that he prescribed highly addictive narcotics to patients despite the absence of any legitimate medical purpose.
Kang agreed to the temporary suspension of his license, the Board indicated in its suspension order. He was licensed by the state in 1971.
A second doctor, Michael W. Rutigliano, also agreed to the temporary suspension of his license in wake of the state's allegation.
The Board order indicated Rutigliano prescribed narcotics to patients he did not see, relying instead on verbal representations from someone else. He also is accused of giving patients prescriptions for future use, a practice known as "back-dating," and prescribing an opioid medication to patient he knew was receiving treatment for opiate addiction.
Rutigliano's New Jersey medical license was issued in 1990, according to state records. His practice was in Paramus.
N.J. could get $22M to fight opiods
The Board often gets a physician to agree to a temporary suspension while it is building the case for a more permanent sanction.
Kathleen O'Brien may be reached at kobrien@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @OBrienLedger. Find NJ.com on Facebook.