ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando pharmacy and its pharmacist have agreed to pay $50,000 to settle allegations that they violated federal controlled-substance laws by filling fraudulent prescriptions and failing to maintain required records.
Plaza Pharmacy LLC and pharmacist Paul Ezeobinwa reached the settlement with the federal government following an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced.
According to the settlement agreement, Plaza Pharmacy and Ezeobinwa failed to properly identify 104 fraudulent prescriptions containing 193 refills between Dec. 22, 2021, and March 21, 2024. Federal officials alleged that the failures resulted in a Schedule V controlled substance being dispensed without valid prescriptions.
DEA investigators conducted an on-site inspection of the pharmacy on March 21, 2024, and discovered dozens of alleged recordkeeping violations under the Controlled Substances Act, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Plaza Pharmacy surrendered its DEA registration for cause on May 2, 2024, and stopped operating in September 2025.
“Pharmacies and pharmacists serve everyone in our communities and carry an obligation to track and properly report the dispensing of controlled substances,” Kehoe said. “This settlement highlights our commitment to enforcing the Controlled Substances Act to protect our citizens.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar of the agency’s Tampa Field Division said investigators would continue pursuing individuals and businesses suspected of abusing the controlled-substance distribution system.
“Our Diversion investigators will continue to pursue and investigate those who abuse the system and poison our communities,” Escobar said. “DEA will not stop until anyone who violates the CSA has been brought to justice.”
The settlement resulted from a coordinated effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Bloor handled the civil settlement.
The agreement resolves the federal government’s claims. The allegations were not adjudicated, and the settlement does not constitute a determination of liability.
