Doctor Suspended After Contributing to 5 Overdose Deaths

EL PASO,TX – An El Paso doctor has been suspended after the role he played in the deaths of five people.

The Texas Medical Board has suspended Brian James August, 60, after he was indicted on 15 counts related to distributing controlled substances causing serious injury or death and health care fraud.

Five of the counts are distribution of a controlled substance resulting in serious injury or death, five counts of distribution of a controlled substance, and five counts of health care fraud resulting in death.

Between December 2012 and March 2018, Brian August prescribed: fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, and oxycodone without a medical purpose. 

August practiced physiatry which is the practice of physical medicine and rehabilitation. A physiatrist is not a pain management doctor although they do share some of the same responsibilities. 

August faces up to 20 years to life in federal prison should he be found guilty on drug charges resulting in death. He also faces a possible 20 years for each of the remaining drug charges and up to life in prison for health care fraud.