On May 6, 2008, Dr. Melanie L. McCarty (DOB 12/12/74) was indicted on four (4) counts of ARS 13-3407.A6, Obtaining a Dangerous Drug by Fraudulent Means. 

Dr. McCarty was investigated for prescription fraud, by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department’s Fraud Unit, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Dr. McCarty, an eye surgeon in Northwest Tucson, had obtained two (2) separate medications, Lunesta and Phentermine, by filling out a prescription for herself and then falsifying a prescribing physician’s name and credentials.  She then presented the prescriptions to various pharmacies around Tucson.  An investigation began when a pharmacist questioned the authenticity of the prescription.