THE urgent care clinic operated by the disgraced doctor charged with illegally distributing ketamine to Friends star Matthew Perry has reopened.
Malibu Canyon Urgent Care, where shamed Dr. Salvador Plasencia aides patients, resumed operations on Monday after being shuttered over the weekend when news of the doctor’s arrest broke.
The U.S. Sun witnessed a nurse working behind the reception desk on Monday morning.
A computer-typed letter taped to the entrance of Plasencia’s urgent clinic informed patients that it was open for non-medical visits.
“Clinic closed for the weekend we will be back Monday August 19, 2024, 10:00 am for weight loss program only. Sorry for the inconvenience,” the note read.
The U.S. Sun witnessed a patient get turned away at the door when they sought medical treatment.
A nurse at the practice told The U.S. Sun the facility opened at 10 am but “can not see anyone for medical reasons.”
The urgent center was shuttered over the weekend after Plasencia was arrested on Thursday in connection with Matthew Perry‘s fatal drug overdose.
Federal investigators said Plasencia and four other suspects looked to profit off of Perry’s out-of-control drug addiction.
Between September and October 2023, Plasencia and fellow physician Mark Chavez sold approximately 20 vials of ketamine to Perry, US attorney for the Central District of California Martin Estrada said.
The shamed doctors profited $55,000 in cash from the drugs and boasted about how much they planned on charing the wealthy Friends star.
‘I wonder how much this moron will pay,” Plasencia texted Chavez before adding, “Let’s find out,” according to court documents.
However, despite facing 120 years on multiple federal drug charges, Plasencia has not been stripped of his medical license, according to TMZ.
Plasencia and Chavez are under investigation by the Medical Board of California, but until a ruling is handed down, the two doctors are still allowed to prescribe medication.
Chavez reached a plea deal with prosecutors and agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
Meanwhile, Plasencia has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, distribution of ketamine resulting in death, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and altering and falsifying records related to a federal investigation.
At the end of the day, Dr. Plasencia was providing medical treatment to Mr. Perry.
Stefan Sacks
Plasencia’s attorney has insisted the doctor did not break the law and was provided “medical treatment” in “good faith.”
“At the end of the day, Dr. Plasencia was providing medical treatment to Mr. Perry,” Stefan Sacks told ABC affiliate WABC-TV.
“He was operating in good faith under what he believed was his duty and whether or not there was a lapse in judgment in retrospect, it doesn’t negate the fact that he was pursuing this with the best of medical intentions.”
Plasencia is out on $100,000 bond. He is expected to go on trial on October 8.
What we know so far…
Here is a timeline on the progress of Matthew Perry's case since his death:
Katy Forrester, The U.S. Sun’s assistant exclusive editor, had her own run-in with Plasencia, known as “Dr. P,” when she sought medical assistance for a possible kidney infection on July 20.
Plasencia greeted Forrester at the reception desk of his urgent care clinic, which threw off the journalist.
“After filling out forms and heading into a private room, the same man, then appeared in a white coat and joked he was not just the receptionist, he was also the doctor,” Forrester recalled.
“I found this incredibly odd and had never been to a medical office with only one staff member.
“It was honestly like a scene from a psychological thriller where the local barman is also the postman and the priest.
“It was odd, but we just laughed it off at the time, and Dr. P examined me before writing up a prescription for new antibiotics.
“When we went back to the reception area we chatted a little longer and asked him why he was the only staff member there, mentioning it was likely a good way to save money running the place on his own.
“I joked and laughed with my partner, but Dr. P was completely emotionless, and the whole interaction felt ‘off.'”
Forrester remembered her conversation with the doctor, “We spoke with him some more, and I asked about certain aspects of the decor in the office, artwork, and a little house ornament a friend had given him.
“Each comment was met with a blank expression, even when we joked we would return for Ozempic next time, which was also sold there.
“When we left, my partner and I spoke at length about the visit and I mentioned he made me feel uncomfortable. He also told me felt the situation was very strange.
“At the time, I couldn’t understand why.
“When I realized who I’d been treated by and read the sweeping indictment, I felt slightly sick. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.”
On August 15, prosecutors announced a slew of charges stemming from the tragic overdose death of Friends star Matthew Perry.
Here are the five individuals allegedly behind Perry’s ketamine crisis.
