By Staff Reporter
iSkyNews.com (ISN) – Published July 9th, 2026
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ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando pharmacy and one of its pharmacists have agreed to pay $50,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) by improperly dispensing controlled substances and failing to maintain required records, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida.
Federal prosecutors announced that Plaza Pharmacy, LLC and pharmacist Paul Ezeobinwa entered into a civil settlement with the United States following a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigation.
According to the settlement agreement, between December 22, 2021, and March 21, 2024, Plaza Pharmacy and Ezeobinwa allegedly failed to identify 104 fraudulent prescriptions, along with 193 unauthorized refills, resulting in the dispensing of Schedule V controlled substances without valid prescriptions.
The DEA conducted an on-site inspection of Plaza Pharmacy on March 21, 2024, where investigators said they discovered dozens of recordkeeping violations involving controlled substances.
As a result of the investigation, Plaza Pharmacy surrendered its DEA registration for cause on May 2, 2024, and the business ceased operations in September 2025.
"Pharmacies and pharmacists serve everyone in our communities and carry an obligation to track and properly report the dispensing of controlled substances," said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. "This settlement highlights our commitment to enforcing the Controlled Substances Act to protect our citizens."
DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar, of the Tampa Field Division, said investigators will continue targeting those who misuse the controlled substances distribution system.
"Our Diversion investigators will continue to pursue and investigate those who abuse the system and poison our communities," Escobar said. "DEA will not stop until anyone who violates the CSA has been brought to justice."
The case was the result of a joint investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Bloor handled the civil settlement.
Federal officials emphasized that the settlement resolves civil allegations only. The claims remain allegations, and there has been no determination of liability.
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida.

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