Mayo Clinic Trained Physician Acquitted of Drug Trafficking

Joseph Oesterling, a Mayo Clinic trained physician and former professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, was most notable for his development of the PSA test. Dr. Oesterling was instrumental in his research identification of elevated PSA levels as a marker for prostate cancer. His test saved millions of lives.

After a successful career in urology he acquired the practice of a local physician who had been previously prescribing high dosages of opioid pain medications. He temporarily acquired the practice after the sudden death of its owner as an effort to help her grieving husband sell the practice to a new owner. Not knowing the prior physician was already the subject of a DEA investigation, Dr. Oesterling quickly found himself in the fight of his life after DEA agents sent undercover patients into his practice to pose as legitimate pain patients. After prescribing for what he thought was a legitimate medical condition, he was promptly arrested and had nearly all his assets obtained from a life’s work in medicine seized.

Dr. Oesterling turned to Federal Criminal Defense Attorney Ronald W. Chapman II to secure his freedom. During the month-long trial Chapman cross-examined the Government’s witness including Dr. Carl Christensen, DEA Agents, and cooperating witnesses – some of which included his former employees. After just two and a half hours the Jury returned a verdict of not guilty on all counts.

Dr. Oesterling walked out of court a free man.