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Bucks County Doctor Faces Trial In Sex-For-Drugs Case

TELFORD, Pa. (CBS) - A family doctor in Bucks County is headed to trial on drug charges, accused of writing prescriptions for powerful medications to drug-addicted women in exchange for sexual favors.

Dr. Harris Newman waived his preliminary hearing today and was held for trial on charges that include prescribing controlled substances in bad faith and delivery of a controlled substance.

Authorities say the 67-year-old doctor ran a clinic on County Line Road in Telford, but over the last five years traded more than 250 prescriptions for sex from drug-addicted women.

"The drugs are Oxycontin, Percocet, Xanax, Fentanyl patches…basically you name it.  Whatever the girls wanted, he would give them," says prosecutor Adam Tanker.

Police say the investigation began focusing on Dr. Newman, who lives in Lower Gwynedd, when they were looking into a drug and prostitution case in 2009.  One of the women to whom Newman allegedly gave drugs died of an overdose, although he is not charged with her death.

Newman's medical license has been suspended pending the outcome of the case.

Reported by Brad Segall, KYW Newsradio 1060.

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