DEA strips sports nurse of opioid license after illegal prescriptions to athletes

Federal investigators found that nurse practitioner Joan Rubinger issued over 260,000 controlled-substance pills to patients across 20 states over four years, including to professional athletes and gang members. The DEA revoked her prescribing authority after an administrative judge cited egregious conduct, and she agreed to pay $1.4 million to settle a civil complaint without admitting wrongdoing. Court records show she coached clients on evading pharmacy scrutiny and expanded her clientele beyond sports figures.