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2 Local Doctors Accused In Prescription Drug Probe

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Two local doctors who work at a women's clinic are facing charges after an investigation by the district attorney's office and the DEA.

The doctors are accused of illegally prescribing medicine to a staff member.

According to the state Attorney General, the illegal prescriptions were handed out at the Allegheny Women's Center Medical Office, an abortion clinic in East Liberty.

When KDKA's Paul Martino went to the office, they didn't want to talk.

Employee: "We're closed today. We're not interested in …"

Martino: "Is Dr. Barrett in by any chance?"

Employee: "No. Nobody's here."

Martino: "Do you know where I can get ahold of him?"

Employee: "No I don't."

The AG says Dr. John Barrett and Dr. Alton Lawson wrote prescriptions for more than 20,000 diethylpropion, a weight loss drug that also treats anxiety and has amphetamine-like characteristics.

Dr. Lawson wasn't home or at his office in Bloomfield. Dr. Barrett wasn't in at the abortion clinic.

Martino: "Is there anybody here that can speak about the charges that have been filed?"

Employee: "No. Everybody's out of the office right now." [Closes sliding window]

Martino: "What would be a good time?"

Lab tech Mark Wagner and former RN Karen Kane are also accused in the diet drug scheme.

The two doctors are accused of giving the drugs to a lab technician who in turn sold the drug to a former registered nurse.

All four were expected to be arraigned Tuesday night.

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MedlinePlus: Diethylpropion

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