Both doctors have been charged with their respective roles in distributing ketamine to Perry, who died on Oct. 28 , 2023 due to the “acute effects” of the medical anesthetic, and have even confirmed their involvement in supplying the beloved “Friends” star with it.
Despite the charges, the Medical Board of California investigated both doctors but found no reason to revoke their licenses, per TMZ.
The doctors charged in connection to Matthew Perry’s death — Dr. Mark Chavez (seen above) and Dr. Salvador Plasencia — can still legally write scripts, according to TMZ. TheHealthMD/Linkedin According to the outlet, the Medical Board of California investigated both doctors (Plasencia’s headshot is viewable here) and found no reason to revoke their license. Malibu Canyon Urgent Care
The board did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
However, the US Drug Enforcement Administration later told TMZ that Chavez voluntarily gave up his right to write prescriptions last week as part of his plea deal and Plasencia’s registration was reportedly pulled.
“Both licenses are current and active and the Board has not imposed any restrictions on them,” they confirmed in a statement to the outlet. via REUTERS Perry died on Oct. 28, 2023, due to the “acute effects” of ketamine. David M. Benett
The US Department of Justice announced Thursday that Plasencia, 42, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine plus seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation.
Chavez, 54, agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. He confirmed in his plea agreement that he sold ketamine to Plasencia off-market for Perry’s use.
According to indictment documents, both doctors had been supplying the actor with ketamine since late September 2023. In incriminating text messages, they wondered how much “moron” Perry would pay for the drug.
Both doctors have admitted that they were involved with supplying the “Friends” star with ketamine in the weeks leading up to his death. Chavez can be seen smiling above. TheHealthMD/Facebook
According to the Department of Justice, the doctors conspired to distribute ketamine for Perry’s recreational use. TheHealthMD/Facebook
Perry is thought to have paid the pair upward of $55,000 in cash in the weeks leading up to his sudden death.
“These defendants cared more about profiting off of Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being,” US Attorney Martin Estrada said in a press statement. “Matthew Perry’s journey began with unscrupulous doctors who abused their position of trust because they saw him as a payday, to street dealers who gave him ketamine in unmarked vials.”
Plasencia allegedly taught him how to inject the drug, which is used in medical settings to help patients with pain. He allegedly provided it in liquid form and via lozenges.
Plasencia, pictured in his Los Angeles clinic here, allegedly taught Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, how to administer ketamine. Malibu Canyon Urgent Care Iwamasa injected Perry three times the day he died. APEX / MEGA
Perry had spoken about his use of ketamine to treat his depression in his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.”
He described it as a “giant exhale” and “being hit in the head with a giant happy shovel” but admitted it made him feel like he was “dying.”
Though he seemed to enjoy the benefits of ketamine, he ultimately denounced it , writing, “The hangover was rough and outweighed the shovel. Ketamine was not for me.”
According to the Department of Justice, both Plasencia and Chavez knew Perry was unwell but kept his steady supply to make money. JORDAN STRAUSS/INVISION/AP Perry previously spoke about his difficult relationship with ketamine in his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.” Noam Galai
However, he ended up addicted to the high, which his doctor pals were very aware of, according to the DOJ.
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