{
  "id": 3921053,
  "title": "Key takeaways about pain specialist to star athletes accused of issuing illegal opioid prescriptions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/key-takeaways-about-pain-specialist-to-star-athletes-accused-of-3921053",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-28T07:23:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/dea-opioids-joan-rubinger-nurse-practitioner-9d556d6a70057657ccc33ebc3607e5e4"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Joan Rubinger, a nurse practitioner and pain specialist, gained prominence by treating numerous high-profile athletes, as displayed on her website. The client list on her website includes 169 NFL Pro Bowl selections, 29 NBA and WNBA champions, and 15 Olympic medalists. However, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) alleged in court documents that Rubinger was involved in a widespread scheme of issuing illegal opioid prescriptions to over 20 states' clients. According to the DEA, she issued controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose and provided clients with guidance on evading scrutiny from federal investigators.\n\nThe DEA revoked Rubinger's authority to prescribe controlled substances citing her \"egregious conduct.\" In March, she agreed to pay $1.4 million to settle a civil complaint by the Justice Department, without admitting any wrongdoing. Rubinger's spokesperson, Erick Mullen, maintained that the case was a civil action and not a criminal matter, stating that no raids took place or her freedom was at risk.\n\nThe reasoning behind the lack of criminal charges from federal prosecutors remains unclear. The court papers, made public through a request by The Associated Press, provide new insights into Rubinger's practices and the athletes who contributed to her public profile. The information obtained from these records and interviews reveal key aspects of her prescribing habits and the prominent athletes who helped elevate her reputation.",
  "summary": "CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Joan Rubinger built a prominent sports medicine practice treating some of the biggest names in professional sports. The nurse practitioner’s website touts a client list that includes…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Key takeaways about pain specialist to star athletes accused of issuing illegal opioid prescriptions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/key-takeaways-about-pain-specialist-to-star-athletes-accused-of",
        "published": "2026-08-28T07:05:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}