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Doctor Arrested In Connection With Patient's Death

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May 6, 2008 2:29 pm US/Pacific

Doctor Arrested In Connection With Patient's Death

LAKE ELSINORE A doctor was arrested Tuesday in connection with the death of a patient who took large amounts of muscle relaxants the doctor allegedly prescribed in exchange for money, according to the state Attorney General's Office.

Dr. Wesley Albert, 78, was arrested at his home in the 18000 block of Applewood Way on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with 28-year-old Jason Morgan's death, according to Gareth Lacy of the Attorney's General's Office.

Morgan died in November after ingesting large amounts of Soma, also known as Carisoprodol, a skeletal muscle relaxant usually prescribed for acute back pain, officials said.

Morgan had 30 bottles of narcotics prescribed by Albert, according to Lacy.

Lacy said Albert routinely prescribed more than five times the normal quantity prescribed by doctors -- sometimes up to 500 pills per person per month -- and charged between $50 and $100 per prescription.

(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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