DUBOIS – Dr. Jonathan K. Cole of DuBois was the subject of regulatory actions according to Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cortes and Basil L. Merenda, acting deputy secretary for regulatory programs and commissioner of the departments of professional and occupational affairs.
Cole was one of several people and firms in the state that had action taken against them for the third quarter of the year. He was the only doctor to have action taken on him in Clearfield County.
Cole had his dental license suspended for no less than three years, however that suspension was immediately stayed in favor of no less than three years’ probation, subject to terms and conditions.
Cortes and Merenda cited an inability to practice dentistry with reasonable skill and safety to patients due to illness or addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Court documents obtained by GantDaily showed that the 52-year-old Cole was using family members’ names to obtain hydrocodone (a prescription pain reliever) for his own use in March 2005 and before that time.
In April 2005, a narcotics agent with the office of the state attorney general interviewed Cole. He then admitted to ordering prescriptions for family members and keeping them for his own use.
Cole had been charged with three felony counts of obtaining or possessing a controlled substance by misrepresentation. He entered a plea agreement in which he plead guilty to three counts of misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance in May 2005.
He was sentenced to one-year probation and pay $300 in fines. Cole was also ordered to complete counseling.
Cortes and Merenda also took action on a State Board of Nursing issue.
Carol Hanes of Osceola Mills was suspended for no less than three years retroactive to October 2005 based on findings she violated the Voluntary Recovery Program consent agreement and order.
