GROVER DOCTOR'S PATIENTS' RECORDS RETURNED

The Drug Enforcement Administration returned 30 cartons of patient records
to Cleveland County doctor Joseph Talley on Wednesday.

"My waiting room is full of boxes," Talley said. "This should help some of
my patients get in to see doctors now. We will make copies of records for
patients. All they have to do is come by to get them."

The federal agency confiscated Talley's patient records on Jan. 28 when
serving him with a show cause order that accuses him of overprescribing
narcotics and allegedly links him to 23 patient deaths. Talley said the DEA
took about 4,000 records.

The DEA also suspended the use of Talley's DEA number so he could not
prescribe controlled substances.

"No doctor will see you if you don't have your records," said Sally Bland
of Spartanburg, S.C.

Bland and her husband, Richard, have been patients of Talley for about five
years, she said. They both have back problems and have had numerous surgeries.

"We have tried to see several doctors, and they are OK with you until you
tell them that you were a Dr. Talley patient," Bland said. "When they find
out that you have seen Dr. Talley, they tell you that they are not taking
new patients."

Talley said the DEA kept 120 records to "use in their case" against him.

No date has been set for Talley's hearing in front of the DEA.

After a three-day hearing last month in front of the N.C. Medical Board,
the board found Talley deviated from standard and acceptable practices with
patients by failing to routinely perform adequate physical examinations.

On April 18, the Medical Board is expected to render its punishment, which
means the board could revoke Talley's medical license, suspend his license,
or stay a license suspension provided he meets specific stipulations.

The final hearing is expected to start at 1 p.m., and will be held in Raleigh.

In an earlier interview, Talley said he expects the state board to take his
license.