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Matthew Perry’s doctor reopens his office for ‘weight loss injections only’ after being charged in connection with death
Los Angeles-based Dr. Salvador Plasencia is facing years behind bars
A DOCTOR charged with illegally distributing ketamine to Friends star Matthew Perry has reopened his medical practice, The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal.
Malibu Canyon Urgent Care, where shamed Dr. Salvador Plasencia treats patients, resumed operations after being shuttered over the weekend after news of his arrest broke.
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The U.S. Sun witnessed a nurse working behind the reception desk on Monday morning.
A computer-typed letter taped on the door of Plasencia's 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.
A patient was seen being turned away at the door when they sought medical treatment, with a nurse telling them they "cannot see anyone for medical reasons."
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The urgent center was closed over the weekend after Plasencia was arrested on Thursday in connection with Perry's fatal drug overdose.
Federal investigators said Plasencia and four other suspects looked to profit off of the star'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 made $55,000 in cash from the drugs and boasted about how much they planned on charing the wealthy star.
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"I wonder how much this moron will pay," Plasencia texted Chavez before adding, "Let's find out," according to a press conference.
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 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.
"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.
Timeline of Matthew Perry's case
Here is a timeline on the progress of Matthew Perry's case since his death:
- Matthew Perry was found unresponsive in a hot tub by his assistant on October 28, 2023.
- He was pronounced dead at the scene after firefighters lifted him from the hot tub.
- Perry was 54 at the time of his death.
- His funeral was held at Forest Lawn cemetery in Hollywood Hills on November 3.
- On December 15, 2023, Perry's death was ruled as an accident from the "acute effects of ketamine."
- The Los Angeles Police Department launched a criminal investigation in December to determine how Perry obtained the drugs that took his life.
- The LAPD has since been working with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the US Postal Inspection Service to re-trace the line of supply of the ketamine.
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.
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"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."
Five charged in Matthew Perry's death
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.
- "Ketamine Queen of Los Angeles" Jasveen Sangha - Sangha is a 41-year-old drug dealer who allegedly helped sell the ketamine that killed Perry, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office. In 2019, Sangha sold ketamine to another victim hours before he died, prosecutors say. After hearing of his death, she allegedly searched "can ketamine be listed as a cause of death," on Google. She faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted of all charges.
- "Dr. P" Dr. Salvador Plasencia - Plasencia, 42, allegedly learned that Perry was seeking ketamine, and obtained doses from a dirty doctor. Speaking to the doctor over text, he allegedly said, "I wonder how much this moron will pay." Plasencia taught unlicensed people associated with Perry how to inject ketamine, and even personally injected it at times, prosecutors say. Perry's assistant, who was taught by Plasencia, administered the fatal dose on October 28, 2023. Plasencia is facing nine charges stemming from the death.
- Kenneth Iwamasa - Iwamasa, 59, was Perry's live-in assistant who was allegedly taught how to inject ketamine by Dr. Plasencia, according to prosecutors. He also corresponded with dealers to organize the sale and delivery of the drug. He admitted to injecting Perry multiple times on the day of his death in a guilty plea.
- Eric Fleming - Fleming, 54, is a dealer who helped to coordinate drug sales to Sangha before they ultimately made it to Perry. He corresponded with Iwamasa when ketamine was on its way to their home. Fleming admitted to distributing 50 vials of ketamine to Iwamasa, half of them four days before Perry's death.
- Dr. Mark Chavez - Chavez admitted to selling ketamine to Dr. Plasencia by writing fraudulent prescriptions. He also coordinated with Iwamasa to get the drugs to Perry. Between September and October 2023, Plasencia, Chavez, and Iwamasa allegedly distributed approximately 20 vials of ketamine to Perry for $55,000 in cash.