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Doctor arrested on drug charges

The neurologist, 73, is accused of selling drugs for cash out of his Plant City mobile home.

By REBECCA CATALANELLO
Published January 11, 2006

PLANT CITY - A 73-year-old physician was arrested Wednesday on charges he sold hydrocodone prescriptions for cash.

Dr. Lionel Cavallini of 4202 Platt Road in Plant City was operating out of a 2004 Ford Shasta model mobile home.

Tampa police on two occassions purchased $25 prescriptions for the controlled substance from Cavallini out the trailer, which was located in a mobile home park at 5810 U.S. 92 in unincorporated Hillsborough County, spokesman Joe Durkin said.

Cavallini, a neurologist, failed to conduct a physical exam or question the customer about medical history, even though the undercover officers made it clear they were seeking the drug just because they liked the way it makes them feel, Durkin said.

Hydrocodone is a narcotic pain reliever that can be habit-forming.

"You don't see many instances of a doctor gone bad like this," Durkin said. "Obviously he's violated his oath as well as the law, and he's also violated the public trust that he holds in the community as a doctor."

Tampa police investigators found him with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Agency, and Lakeland and Plant City police. It was part of a larger investigation into the source of illegal prescriptions being passed in Tampa pharmacies, Durkin said.

In 1992, Cavallini, then 60, had another ethical run-in resulting in the temporary suspension of his license after he admitted having sex with at least three patients.

Cavalini has no prior criminal record in Florida. He is being held without bail at Orient Road Jail.

[Last modified January 11, 2006, 18:12:04]