Raleigh Doctor Backs Out of Plea Deal

Raleigh County Dr. Michael Kostenko was expected to plead guilty this week to one count of intentionally distributing a quantity of oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose, but he backed out of the plea deal. The Gazette-Mail reports the trial is set for April 24th in Beckley, and Kostenko faces 20 counts, including three that claim prescriptions were written illegally and led to the overdose of three patients. State inspectors have cited the Raleigh clinic for failing to keep adequate medical records. Kostenko has denied wrongdoing in the past.