Former Rockwood Clinic doctor charged with unprofessional conduct

A former doctor at Rockwood Clinic is facing state charges of unprofessional conduct for allegedly writing multiple drug prescriptions for two prostitutes with whom he had sex.

The women were described as patients of Dr. Lewis J. Meline, who lists his specialty as obstetrics and gynecology. But Meline never treated either woman in a clinical setting, performed diagnostic tests or kept medical records, according to the Washington Department of Health.

He also prescribed testosterone pills and creams for himself, the charges said.

Meline has not worked at Rockwood Clinic since March 2014, according to a clinic spokeswoman. He later worked at Grandview Medical Center near Sunnyside, Washington, but his employment there ended after the state filed charges in April, the Daily Sun News reported.

Meline has denied the allegations and has requested a hearing before a state health-law judge. His medical license remains active pending an outcome to the case, said Sharon Moysiuk, a Department of Health spokeswoman.

Having sex with patients and prescribing drugs for anything other than a legitimate therapeutic use are both violations of Washington’s professional code of conduct for doctors.

The charges related to the women stem from a period between September 2012 and March 2014.

During that time, Meline wrote 56 prescriptions for one of the women, took her to a medical conference in Las Vegas where they shared a hotel room, and provided $50,000 to $60,000 in financial support, the charges said. He allegedly paid for her child support, cellphone bills, housing and escort service advertisements.

Meline had a shorter relationship with the second woman, the charges said. Over a six-week period in 2013, he allegedly wrote eight prescriptions for her and paid her $8,000 to $10,000.

The charges also said that Meline prescribed testosterone for himself between late 2009 and early 2012 without keeping medical records. He also wrote prescriptions for family members over a 12-year period without keeping records, according to the charges.

Meline’s prehearing conference is scheduled for Nov. 16, with the formal hearing scheduled for Dec. 10.