What Happened
Joan Rubinger, a nurse practitioner in Stockton, California, agreed to pay $1.4 million to resolve allegations that she violated the Controlled Substances Act on at least 900 occasions. The United States alleged she dispensed controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the course of professional practice, including selling prescriptions to people who were not her legitimate patients. On March 26, 2026, the court entered a permanent injunction barring her from dispensing or prescribing controlled substances or having involvement in dispensing them. The DEA Tactical Diversion Squad investigated. The release states there was no determination of liability.
“Rubinger sold prescriptions for controlled substances to individuals who were not her legitimate medical patients”
Related Guidance
- 15 Red Flags of Drug Diversion — Behavioral and transactional indicators of diversion.
- Investigation Playbook — How to investigate suspected diversion inside an organization.