Latest news with #Vicodin
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Matthew Perry's doctor pleads guilty to distributing ketamine to Friends star
Friends actor Matthew Perry died aged 54 as he was found in the hot tub at his Los Angeles home in 2023, which was ruled as an accident from the 'acute effects of ketamine' Dr. Salvador Plasencia has agreed to plead guilty to distributing ketamine to Matthew Perry before his tragic death. The Friends actor was found dead in the hot tub at his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023 aged 54. An investigation found the cause of Perry's death to be ruled as an accident from the 'acute effects of ketamine', the exact manner of which came from drowning. Plasencia, also known as Dr. P., was one of five people charged last year. He faces up to 40 years in prison for the four counts of distribution of ketamine. The physician has agreed to plead guilty, according to a plea agreement filed on Monday. He had previously been facing a variety of charges, including altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation. Dr. Mark Chavez, Perry's live-in personal assistant Kenneth Iwamasa and alleged drug dealer Erik Fleming all pleaded guilty. Jasveen Sangha - who is allegedly known in Hollywood circles as the 'Ketamine Queen' - pleaded not guilty. Following his guilty plea, personal assistant Iwamasa helped in the cases against Plasencia, charged with illegally selling ketamine to Perry in the month before his death, and Sangha, a woman who authorities say sold the actor the lethal dose of ketamine. Dr. Chavez - who pleaded guilty to his charges of conspiring to distribute the surgical anaesthetic ketamine - allegedly formed the bridge between Perry, Sangha and Plasencia. US attorney Martin Estrada said in announcing the charges "the doctors preyed on Perry's history of addiction in the final months of his life last year to provide him with ketamine in amounts they knew were dangerous". Perry struggled with addiction for years, dating back to his time on Friends, when he became one of the biggest stars of his generation as Chandler Bing. He starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 on NBC's megahit sitcom. In his memoir, he admitted that he struggled to watch Friends because it reminded him of the tough times he went through. 'I didn't watch the show, and haven't watched the show, because I could go, drinking, opiates, drinking, cocaine,' he later added. 'I could tell season by season by how I looked. That's why I don't wanna watch it, because that's what I see.' Perry explained: 'I was taking 55 Vicodin a day, I weighed 128 lbs, I was on Friends getting watched by 30 million people — and that's why I can't watch the show, 'cause I was brutally thin." 'I had a rule that I would never drink or do drugs while working,' he said. 'Because I had too much respect for the five people I was working with. So I was never wasted while working.'
Time Business News
11-06-2025
- Time Business News
Why You Need a St. Petersburg Lawyer for Hydrocodone Charges
Getting arrested for hydrocodone possession or trafficking in Florida is no small matter. The laws are strict, the penalties are harsh, and the consequences can follow you for years. If you're facing charges, you need a St. Petersburg hydrocodone lawyer who knows the local courts, understands the complexities of drug laws, and can fight to protect your future. Hydrocodone, commonly found in prescription medications like Vicodin and Norco, is a powerful opioid. While it's prescribed for pain relief, possessing or distributing it without proper authorization can lead to severe legal consequences. In Florida, possessing 14 grams or more can result in trafficking charges, even if you had no intent to sell. This amount is roughly equivalent to just 22 pills. Under Florida Statute 893.135, the penalties for hydrocodone trafficking are stringent: 14–28 grams : Minimum 3 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. : Minimum 3 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. 28–50 grams : Minimum 7 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. : Minimum 7 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. 50–200 grams: Minimum 15 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. These are mandatory minimum sentences, meaning judges have limited discretion. You might think any criminal defense lawyer can handle your case, but drug laws are complex, and local experience matters. A St. Petersburg hydrocodone lawyer brings several advantages: Each court has its procedures, and local prosecutors may have specific approaches to drug cases. A local attorney will have established relationships and insights that can be leveraged for your defense. Florida's drug statutes are intricate, and penalties can vary based on numerous factors, including the amount of the substance and prior offenses. An experienced lawyer will understand these nuances and how they apply to your case. From questioning the legality of a search to challenging lab results, a skilled attorney can identify weaknesses in the prosecution's case. This could lead to reduced charges or even a dismissal. If a plea deal is in your best interest, a seasoned lawyer can negotiate terms that minimize penalties, such as reduced charges or alternative sentencing options like drug treatment programs. Legal jargon and court procedures can be overwhelming. But remember, you're not just a case number. You're a person with a story, and you deserve someone who will listen, understand, and fight for you. A compassionate attorney will ensure your voice is heard and your rights are protected. If you or a loved one is facing hydrocodone charges in St. Petersburg, don't wait. The sooner you consult with a knowledgeable attorney, the better your chances of a favorable outcome. Remember, the stakes are high, but with the right representation, you can navigate this challenging time and work towards a brighter future. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fashion Designer Testifies Diddy Dangled Her Off Balcony, Called Himself 'The Devil'
Back in November 2024, a fashion designer who worked with Sean 'Diddy' in the past sued the mogul, saying he threatened her life and dangled her from a 17th floor balcony in 2016. The woman, named Bryana 'Bana' Bongolan, testified in court Wednesday (June 4) and spoke about her interactions with Combs and what she witnessed in regard to his relationship with Cassie Ventura. While on the witness stand, Bongolan said the balcony incident 'left her with night terrors' and added that there were times where she 'would scream in her sleep,' per NBC. The lasting psychological impact included feelings of paranoia, sometimes leading her to 'peek her head out at her own home just to make sure the area was clear.' She said he held her over the ledge for '10 to 15' seconds and yelled, 'You know what the f**k you did.' The witness also said the father of seven allegedly told her 'something along the lines of, 'I am the devil and I can kill you.'' It's worth noting Ventura included the balcony event in her 2023 lawsuit against Combs without mentioning Bongolan, her friend, by name. The designer claims she witnessed several instances of abuse from Diddy towards Cassie throughout the years. She also testified both she and Ventura were regular drug users during the years they were immersed in Diddy's social circle. She confirmed during cross-examination that she did ketamine, marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine and Vicodin in this time of her life. Per court documents obtained by Rolling Stone last year, Bongolan sued the Bad Boy founder for sexual battery, infliction of emotional distress, and false imprisonment, among other claims. The 17-page lawsuit read, 'Ms. Bongolan refuses to allow this fear to control the rest of her life and brings this action to demand that Mr. Combs takes responsibility for the trauma he intentionally and maliciously inflicted.' Diddy is facing one count of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He was arrested in NYC on Sept. 16, 2024, and held at MDC Brooklyn without bail. His trial is expected to last all of June and into July. More from Cam'ron Questions Male Escort, The Punisher, About Diddy's Alleged "Freak-Offs" Jamie Foxx Says Diddy Accusations Hurt The Black Community: "That Was Our Hero" Diddy Heckler Kicked Out Of Courtroom After Yelling "Pull Your Gun Out"
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Do it for every veteran': Hemp business leaders call for Abbott to veto THC ban
AUSTIN (Nexstar) — 'Like thousands of us, I went through the government's solution — a never ending parade of pills: Vicodin, Valium, Tramadol, Neurontin, antidepressants, sleeping pills, the list goes on and on. Those drugs nearly destroyed me,' Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran Dave Walden said on Monday. 'Legal hemp-derived consumable THC gummies brought me back.' Walden spoke on behalf of the Texas Department of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), who are vehemently opposed to Senate Bill 3 — the THC ban bill. 'Since 2018 I haven't touched a single opioid or any of the other drugs that I mentioned above. I've rebuilt my life. I've become a better leader, a better husband, a better father. And ultimately a better man,' Walden said. 'But now Senate Bill three wants to turn this into contraband. It wants to turn me and thousands of other veterans into criminals for choosing an alternative that works for us.' Currently, the fate of the Texas Hemp industry lies in Gov. Greg Abbott's hands. He has until June 22 to either veto or sign SB 3. If he fails to make a choice, the bill will go into effect unsigned. 'Today, over 10,000 hemp business owners — women and men — request that Governor Abbott veto SB 3,' President of the Texas Hemp Business Council Cynthia Cabrera said. Cabrera is also the Chief Strategy Officer at Hometown Hero, an Austin-based consumable hemp company. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick tossed a package of Hometown Hero Cereal Bites at reporters while arguing the dangers of THC products, saying 'nobody knows what's in it.' 'Make no mistake, the idea that no one knows what is in these products is false. For the past six years, Texas law has mandated third-party lab testing and clear labeling,' Cabrera said. 'The only goal of these scare tactics was to frighten legislators and the public into going along with an agenda they did not ask for. The Texas hemp industry is comprised overwhelmingly of law-abiding, compliant entrepreneurs, mom and pop stores, distributors and ancillary businesses.' The conference featured hemp industry leaders from all sectors, including hemp farmer Colton Luther. While he acknowledged he will still be able to grow hemp, he said his fields are currently empty because he's uncertain of this year's demand is SB 3 goes through. 'If you take away the market that creates the demand that the farmers are upholding, What business do we have left,' Luther said. 'It is a shame that we are trying to ban these things and take away the market that these farmers depend on to sell their crop.' Later Monday, the group Citizens for a Safe and Healthy Texas held a competing news conference to preach the harms of THC. 'What you never hear people discussing is the impaired driving consequences resulting from use of these intoxicating products in Texas. While alcohol remains the leading cause of fatal crashes, alcohol combined with cannabis is the second most common cause of deadly impaired driving crashes,' their CEO Nicole Holt said. 'In our state, the combination of alcohol and cannabis is the most common drug combination in impaired driving crashes in our state as well. And young drivers are particularly at risk. 26% of crash fatalities among those 25 and younger involve both cannabis and alcohol. 'Those are real lives. Those deaths are someone's life ended too soon, those families will never be the same, and when there's an impaired driver on the road, we are all at risk.' They also invited State Rep. David Lowe, R-Fort Worth, a war veteran. 'I'm deeply troubled that veterans are being used as props,' Lowe said. 'I believe passing Senate Bill three is one of the greatest accomplishments of this legislative session, and I want to thank Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick for his strong, steady leadership when it mattered most.' However, the Texas VFW says Lowe does not speak for them. 'Our national convention and our state convention… set the number one priority… as protecting any alternative to opioids,' Walden said. 'That's one veteran's opinion. I have written consent that I speak for 64,000 veterans in Texas, not just one.' Abbott has until June 22 to make a decision on whether or not to veto SB 3. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Mint
18-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Spotify's fake podcasts advertising prescription drugs sales online: How the issue surfaced and what we know so far
A CNN investigation has exposed a troubling loophole on Spotify, revealing that dozens of podcasts masquerading as legitimate shows were actually promoting illegal online pharmacies. These fake podcasts, found through searches like 'Adderall' and 'Xanax,' often featured generic or AI-generated voices pushing prescription drugs like Oxycodone, Vicodin, Methadone, and Ambien — frequently advertising 'FDA-approved delivery without prescription,' which is illegal under US law. Some podcast titles left little to the imagination — 'My Adderall Store,' 'Order Xanax 2 mg Online Big Deal On Christmas Season,' and ' — with links in episode descriptions pointing to questionable pharmacy websites. CNN's review found at least seven drug-pushing podcasts in the first 100 results when searching for 'Adderall,' and as many as 20 in the first 60 when searching 'Xanax.' These pages had existed for months in some cases and were easily discoverable on Spotify's platform. Even after the issue was flagged, CNN was able to find new fake podcasts cropping up. In some cases, shows like 'Adderall 10 mg blue pills' disappeared only after CNN engaged with them — suggesting reactive rather than proactive enforcement. After CNN said it provided Spotify with a list of 26 offending podcasts that were live as of a Thursday afternoon, the company acted within hours to remove them. However, new ones were spotted on the platform the very next morning. 'We are constantly working to detect and remove violating content across our service,' a Spotify spokesperson told CNN, acknowledging that the removed podcasts violated their rules, which ban illegal and spam content. Spotify allows open podcast publishing but enforces rules that prohibit hate speech, sexually explicit content, illegal material, and spam. Its creator guidelines also forbid content made solely to promote a product or service — particularly when such content leads users to harmful or unlawful services. The company claims to use both automated tools and human moderators to identify rule violations. Despite those efforts, online safety experts argue Spotify's current systems are insufficient. The situation has sparked fresh concerns about the role of tech platforms in preventing illicit drug sales — especially as AI tools make it easier to mass-produce spammy or dangerous content. Advocates and parents have called for stricter safeguards, citing recent teen overdose deaths from pills purchased online.
