Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Miami Herald - June 15, 2004
Sara Olkon, solkon@herald.com
Broward Circuit Judge Eileen O'Conner cut Paul Perito's bond from $2 million to $1,175,000 after hearing arguments from defense attorney Jane Moscowitz Friday.
The lower bond comes with several conditions, including: Perito must wear an electronic ankle bracelet; he may not sell any assets except those needed to raise bond; he may travel only within Miami-Dade and Broward counties. He also was ordered not to sell any pharmaceuticals.
As of mid-afternoon today, Perito was still in jail.
Perito and and his business partner, Nicholas Just, were arrested late last month and charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, organizing a scheme to defraud, product tampering, vending of counterfeit drugs and the purchase of prescription drugs from an unlicensed person.
The state alleges Perito sold illicit prescription drugs from a strip club called Playpen South at 23101 S. Dixie Hwy., north of Homestead, which the urologist owns with Just.
The state is alleging that Perito also used illegal drugs at the club.
Witnesses said large amounts of two drugs were loaded into a large cooler at Playpen South and later exchanged for thousands of dollars in cash. The drugs were labeled Procrit -- used by cancer patients to boost red blood cells during chemotherapy -- and Epogen, a blood-boosting drug for AIDS patients and those with kidney failure.
Williams said many of the drugs were later found diluted.
The charges are part of a larger state investigation into drug diversion -- the practice of moving prescription drugs without proper documentation through a gray or black market at discounted prices.
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