Orlando Pharmacy and Pharmacist Agree to Pay $50,000 to Settle Controlled Substances Act Violations

Orlando, FL - Plaza Pharmacy, LLC and Paul Ezeobinwa have agreed to pay the United States $50,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the Controlled Substances Act by improperly distributing schedule V drugs and committing multiple recordkeeping violations. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

The settlement relates to a DEA investigation of Plaza Pharmacy. According to the settlement agreement, between December 22, 2021, and March 21, 2024, Plaza Pharmacy and Mr. Ezeobinwa failed to properly identify a total of 104 fraudulent prescriptions with 193 refills, resulting in the dispensing a controlled substance without a valid prescription. As explained in the settlement agreement, on March 21, 2024, the DEA conducted an on-site investigation of Plaza Pharmacy and discovered dozens of record-keeping violations of the Controlled Substances Act. Plaza Pharmacy surrendered its DEA license for cause on May 2, 2024, and ceased 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," said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. "This settlement highlights our commitment to enforcing the Controlled Substances Act to protect our citizens."

"Our Diversion investigators will continue to pursue and investigate those who abuse the system and poison our communities," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar, Tampa Field Division. "DEA will not stop until anyone who violates the CSA has been brought to justice."

This settlement resulted from a coordinated effort by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The civil settlement was reached by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Bloor.

The settlement resolves the United States' claims. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.