Source: Tulsa World (OK) Contact: http://www.tulsaworld.com/ Copyright: 1998, World Publishing Co. Pubdate: Fri, 18 Dec 1998 Author: Brian Barber, World Staff Writer DOCTOR INVESTIGATION TURNED OVER TO FEDS The investigation of a Tulsa doctor who is suspected of illegally selling prescription drugs for cash and exchanging them for sex is now in the hands of federal authorities. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration officials are collecting and reviewing evidence against Dr. John T. Forsythe, whose office was searched four months ago, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs spokesman Mark Woodward said. "They're looking at the case to possibly pursue federal charges," he said. "It's out of our hands now." DEA spokesman Paul Villaescusa would not comment about the progress of the case. "I can't even confirm or deny that we have the investigation," he said. Authorities initially said after the Aug. 12 search of Forsythe's office that charges were expected within a few weeks. But Woodward said the process is taking longer than expected. Forsythe, who has not been arrested, could not be reached for comment. His attorney, Curtis Parks, also was unavailable. The 64-year-old doctor, whose medical and narcotics licenses have been revoked, has been under investigation for about a year and a half. During the search at Forsythe's Clinical Radiology and Family Medicine office at 2733 S. Harvard Ave., authorities seized files, paperwork and a number of videotapes on which the doctor allegedly had recorded examinations. Forsythe is suspected of writing fraudulent prescriptions, selling prescription drugs for cash, selling controlled dangerous drugs to addicts, filing fraudulent insurance claims, failing to provide medical treatment in a proper setting, sexual misconduct and stalking a patient. Undercover agents allegedly bought drugs from Forsythe several times. Woodward previously said there was enough evidence to arrest Forsythe at any time but that officials were concentrating on the investigation. - --- Checked-by: Richard Lake