July 19, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Santa Monica Doctor Charged with Prescription Fraud

Santa Monica Doctor charged with prescription fraud.
A Santa Monica doctor and two of his associates are charged with charged with prescription fraud. (Thinkstock)

Severe pain is difficult to endure, but a Santa Monica physician and two of his associates are potentially facing trial after being charged with orchestrating an elaborate scheme to fill fraudulent prescriptions for patients to squelch their grave aches.

Dr. Daniel Shin was scheduled to appear March 13 at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center for a preliminary hearing; his two associates, office manager Thomas Mark Oserasky and colleague Dyno Travato West, joined him, each facing allegations of prescription fraud.

The three will return to court again April 24, when County District Attorney’s office stated it hopes to move forward with the preliminary hearing.

Shin, 48, is being held on $150,000 bail; the bail was $140,000 for West, 37, $30,000, for the 48-year-old Oserasky.

According to the D.A.’s office, all three pleaded not guilty to 21 felony and five misdemeanor counts. The counts include:  “conspiracy to obtain controlled substances by fraud, issuing false prescriptions, identity theft, possession of controlled substances and being under the influence of a controlled substance.”

Prosecuting the case will be deputy district attorneys Ryan Dibble and Emily Street, the D.A.’s office stated.

The prosecutors allege Shin, who operates a pain management clinic in Santa Monica, orchestrated a complex scheme with Oserasky and West to write and fill “numerous fraudulent prescriptions” for oxycodone, a poppy-derived narcotic providing relief for moderate to severe pain.

Shin, Oserasky, and West were arrested and charged after the County Sheriff’s Dept. and its health task force conducted an investigation of the prescription scheme, where Shin allegedly wrote numerous medicine orders to be filled by his colleagues.

According to the D.A.’s office, a conviction could result in Shin facing nine years in local custody, while Oseransky might face up to 52 months in local custody.

With a prior residential burglary conviction on his record, West faces up to 14 years in state prison, if convicted.

Oxycodone, which nowadays is often prescribed as OxyContin, has been in use for nearly 100 years. It was developed in Germany in 1916 and is generally prescribed to those from severe or chronic pain.

An oxycodone profile on the University of Maryland’s Center for Substance Abuse Research website states the prescription can be addictive similar to alcohol, heroin, or marijuana.

“Every age group has been affected by illicit use of oxycodone and its perceived safety,” the profile reads. “Sometimes seen as a ‘white collar’ addiction, oxycodone abuse has increased among all ethnic and economic backgrounds. OxyContin can be rather expensive. A 40mg tablet (prescribed from a doctor) costs approximately $4, but the street value (the cost when illegally obtaining the drug) can range in price from $25 to $40.”

Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Nearly $1B Secured for Refinancing of Westfield Century City Mall

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The proceeds will replace a $925 million commercial mortgage-backed securities loan, originally issued by Morgan Stanley in 2023 and due...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays...

Tesla Seen Nearly Crashing into West LA Home After Collision

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Footage depicted a blue Prius on the road with significant front-end damage A crash involving injuries was reported around 12:30...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

Hundreds of Red-Legged Frog Tadpoles Released in Santa Monica Mountains

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Once widespread in California, red-legged frogs vanished from the Santa Monica Mountains by the 1970s Nearly 600 California red-legged frog...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

Westwood Village Board to Discuss Public Art Initiative

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The initiative aims to enhance community pride, boost local business revenue, and address urban blight through public art corridors and...

Beverly Hills Plans Major Apartment Development Near Civic Center

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The site, currently holding 13 residential units, is slated for demolition to make way for the new development A proposal...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...