PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Two local doctors will stand trial to face allegations they illegally prescribed medication to a staff member.

Dr. John Barrett of Mt. Lebanon and Dr. Alton Lawson of Point Breeze both worked at one time as the medical director at the Allegheny Women’s Center in East Liberty.

Both men are charged with prescribing more than 20,000 pills illegally.

“What had happened here was Dr. Barrett took over the heading up this clinic about eight or nine years ago,” Defense attorney Pat Thomassey said.

“One of the employees had a prescription that was valid that he kept re-filling under Dr. Barrett’s name. Dr. Barrett was not aware of it and then it led to many, many prescriptions being filled.”

According to the criminal complaint, investigators determined the medication was ordered for Mark Wagner, a lab tech at the clinic. Investigators also determined Wagner gave the drugs to a friend.

The drug in question is Diethylpropion, a medication used to treat obesity. Mr. Wagner said he was also using the drug to treat anxiety and depression.

Both doctors said they did not know how much medication was being ordered for Mr. Wagner. Both doctors are no longer working at the Allegheny Women’s Center.

No trial date has been set at this time.

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