POLK DOCTOR IS FACING CHARGES ON PRESCRIPTIONS

A Polk County doctor has been arrested on a capias warrant handed down
by a Polk County grand jury.

Dr. Richard J. Keinzle of Copperhill was indicted on seven counts of
writing unauthorized prescriptions.

According to Beth Denton, spokesperson for the Tennessee Bureau of
Investigation, Keinzle allegedly wrote unauthorized prescriptions for
schedule II and schedule III controlled substances.

The doctor was booked on the charges at the Polk County Sheriff's
Department last week. According to Denton, he posted a $14,000 bond.

Reports indicate that Keinzle was writing prescriptions from his pain
management clinic. The incidents are alleged to have occurred between
May and August of 2002.

Denton said in a press release that the Tennessee Department of Health
and Regulatory Board are reviewing Keinzle's license.

n Indictments were also handed down on a pharmacist who is alleged to
be treating people for allergies.

According to reports, Robert Fulford of Benton was charged with
impersonating a licensed professional.

Indictments allege that Fulford "pretended to be a physician, calling
himself an allergist."

He was freed from Polk County jail on $2,000 bond late last
week.

According to Tenth Judicial District Attorney General's Office
Assistant DA Steve Crump, his office is aiding Polk officials in the
investigation.