Thursday, August 6, 2009

Lake County Coroner Richard Keller Under Investigation

Well, that vacation idea didn't last long. Reader Jim Moran led me to this Tribune article about Lake County Coroner Richard Keller being under investigation for a recent death due to a drug prescribed by Keller, who then subsequently investigated the death:

The Lake County state's attorney's office is investigating a methadone-related death after learning that the county's coroner, Dr. Richard Keller, prescribed the drug to the victim at a Waukegan clinic, where Keller is medical director.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is participating in the county investigation, which includes a review of whether Keller and clinic staff followed proper procedures in administering methadone, commonly used to treat heroin addiction, DEA Special Agent Will Taylor said.And a state agency has faulted the clinic for not reporting the death, as required.

Steve Vaughn, 30, of Lindenhurst died Dec. 3, hours after he was administered 70 milligrams of methadone at the Green Dragonfly clinic during his second day of treatment, Keller said.

"We are looking at all of the facts and circumstances regarding Steve Vaughn's situation ... and whether or not the rules and regulations that deal with methadone clinics were followed," State's Atty. Michael Waller said Wednesday.

Waller questioned why Keller as coroner investigated his own patient's death, a potential conflict of interest because the coroner typically determines if any foul play was involved with an unnatural death.

That was probably a bigger snip than I should have used, but the Trib will forgive me since I'm posting from my secret vacation location today.

TA readers will recall that we strongly suspected that there was more to Keller's recent announcement that he would not run for re-election than his stated reason that he didn't want to put up with fundraising and was tired of the political nature of the coroner's office. Well, if you were wondering who the 'dead man' was whom we referred to in that post, as Paul Harvey would say, now you know the rest of the story...

Keller, of course, claims this is all a political put-up job:

Keller said he thought the state's attorney's inquiry was politically motivated.

"Certainly when you look at the facts in the case, there certainly was no crime that occurred," he said. "Unfortunately, a young man died. Unfortunately, these things happen."

Luckily, Keller has Dem hatchet man "Sneaky" Pete Couvall in his corner to defend him:

"A lot of people happen to think he's doing a damn good job, and I hate to see him abandon that post," said Pete Couvall, his former campaign manager.

Keller=Toast. Done. Next.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Keller is the original 'do-gooder' who felt that he was above it all. Perhaps he's a guy with feet of clay. His Health Reach Clinic deserves praise and credit for what it has provided over the years. Yes, people die. Yes, the young man in question most likely had other issues that helped contribute to his death. But I think the way Keller has responded to the charges, to the investigation and to the handling of the case as outlined in the Tribune makes you wonder when the other shoe will drop. And to be defended by Pete Couvall just about says it all. You're right, TA, there was a reason Keller didn't want to run again. Can't wait to read the rest of this case and how it gets resolved. Enjoy your vacation, TA. I get the feeling we're going to have a very busy 15 months ahead of us.

Anonymous said...

Looks like Keller killed a patient and now will be indicted either by Lake County or the Feds (DEA). Special thanks to Pete Couvall and Terry Link for backing this criminal.

Anonymous said...

Richard Keller is the farthest thing from a criminal there is. He has been taking care of the health care needs of the poor for years in Waukegan, selflessly. This man would not know how to engage in a criminal act, no more than Mother Teresa would. Note, I am not saying he is Mother Teresa. I am just saying that certain people are so engaged in doing good that they could not do the things that the State's Attorney is accusing Dr. Keller of. This is a man who has saved lives almost all his life! Why doesn't Mr. Waller pursue some of the drug dealers that make Waukegan such a hell hole instead of a man who is just trying to help people?

tikkunolam said...

Hey, TA, off-topic, but have you heard about/a part of this?

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/25812.html

Anonymous said...

m/b where A. Martin got fuel for his latest misstatements by, I'm guessing, misinterpreting the article.

Anonymous said...

Looks like "Dr. Death" Keller will have to resign soon.

Anonymous said...

Just think, if he only switched parties, he could have done anything he wanted and Waller wouldn't have lifted a finger.

Equal justice under the law is so out-dated. Adhering to this is like being an activist judge ):

Anonymous said...

The Trib got the goods on Keller - looks like he is facing jail time

Anonymous said...

Oh, oh! A couple of crabby Democrats are posting here!

I checked Keller's blog today. Nothing posted about this tragedy.

Louis G. Atsaves

Anonymous said...

Both the Tribune and WGN radio are reporting on this story. Before anyone rushes to judgment I think we have to let this all play itself out. But that Covall is defending and protesting how great a guy Keller happens to be can't be good for this guy's reputation. The last damn thing I'd want is Pete Couvall giving me a testimony of how great I am. Good grief. RUN.

Lewis said...

Keller needs to resign immediately and concentrate on his upcoming disbarment and trial.

Anonymous said...

Keller has to resign, so must Waller.

Anonymous said...

Keller definitely should resign at this point in time.

Period.

Louis G. Atsaves

Anonymous said...

I am sorry Keller killed that kid and then covered it up.

Like other corrupt politicians, he should resign and face a jury of his peers.

Anonymous said...

Keller may be a "do-gooder" but he clearly did "no good" to the young man he gave a lethal prescription to. Keller is a doctor. Before prescribing a prescription, he is responsible in learning the history of his patient. That is why you and I cannot go directly to a pharmacy and ask for prescriptions. We need doctors to prescribe them. Doctors that are responsible and learn about our medical history.

He failed to do so.

Then he failed to recuse himself as Coroner investigating this young man's death.

He must resign...

Anonymous said...

Maybe Keller was trying to illegally register voters at the coroner's office. No, wait; that's the Lake County GOP's tactic!

Maybe he was Tweeting during an autopsy. No, wait; that's a Mark Kirk tactic!

There's been a lot of off-topic Keller posts on the Eye blog lately, TA. You may want to reign in your frothing -at-the-mouth gaggle.

Anonymous said...

I'm no legal scholar, though I don't think doctors are dis-barred.

I have also not read where Dr. Keller necessarily wrote the prescription.

I am not defending him, as I think its a bit early to come to any judgement yet, though I am somewhat aware of what it means to be a medical director of a healthcare organization.

Come to think of it, don't private insurance companies have 'chief medical officers?' If they were held to account for their poor decisions in pursuit of the almighty dollar, maybe some of the accusations and speaking out of turn would be more fair.

1. The facts must come out.
2. People must be investigated regardless of political affiliation by the County State's Attorney.
3. If Medical Directors are held to account for every staff action, you'd had a lot of empty medical director and insurance company chief medical officer positions become vacant.
4. Aren't these insurance company officers the same 'bureaucrats' the unorganized mobs are complaining about if the government were to become more involved in health insurance matters? If it is wrong to have a bureaucrat become involved in my health insurance, why do Aetna, Blue Cross, and Humana get away with it daily?

Anonymous said...

anon 1:09, The Trib's articles have said that Keller prescribed the methadone.

"The state's attorney's office asked the federal agency for help after learning that Dr. Richard Keller, the Lake County coroner, prescribed the drug to the victim at the Green Dragonfly clinic, where he is medical director, according to a DEA spokesman."

Anonymous said...

The REAL issue is that someone didn't do their job properly and as a result our friend has died.Praying that this makes people more aware of the devastating effects of mixed prescription medication, be it by doctor error or by intentional MISuse.


RIP Stevie, I got them new Jordans, love you always.

Anonymous said...

Anon,

Sorry about your loss - glad to see you've tuned in on behalf of your bud.

Any other doctor would have had his license removed by now.

You may want to check out "Eye on Lake County" blog - it's a group of Dems alleging this whole investigation is politically motivated, etc... TA has a link on his front page.

Typical Democrat Mantra - make a mistake and blame the Republicans....

Anonymous said...

I love it that this topic line could end up being Waller and Curran's downfall. You were tiipped, TA. And now it's a matter for all sorts of higher authority. Perhaps the ARDC should be looking into a violation of Rule 1 right here. If you should have known that your leaker in Waller's office was acting improperly, did you violate the rules of ethics by publishing? This could end up being a harder hit on Waller when the dust settles and it could very well be TA's lunatic fringe here that sealed his doom.

Krystle Alyssia Martin- Girlfriend to Kellers VICTIM said...

For those of you who think you know it all, guess what, you really don't!!!

1-Stevie was not taking Xanax after leaving Kellers facility... 2-Keller gave him nearly 4 times the original dose of Methadone than what they had first prescribed to him on his first day of treatment... (Going from 40 milligrams to 140 milligrams in a matter of about 24 hours...) Was that safe??? HELL NO IT WAS NOT!!! Was it an example of poor judgement??? HELL YES IT WAS!!! 3-Keller didn't do any type of blood or urine test to determine what Stevie had in his system before prescribing anything to him???

Keller screwed up... Point blank!!! There is no excuse for ANY of his actions regarding how he treated or MISTREATED our STEVIE!!!

And why did Keller feel that he could rightfully preside as the coroner for a patient he had treated just hours before his death??? Or not report the death of his own patient to the state as necessary??? This Keller guy is just wrong for what he has done to us, our Stevie, and possibly many other patients... His license should be revoked without a doubt...

If you consider breaking the law, neglect, malpractice, and being a dirty, low down, piece of crap, lying "doctor", a "do gooder", then Keller is your guy... But to our family, he is a horrible person who deserves to rot in hell!!!

REST IN PEACE STEVEN MICHAEL VAUGHN
September 2, 1978 - December 3, 2008

WE WILL CONTINUE OUR FIGHT FOR YOUR JUSTICE!!!

Krystle Alyssia Martin- Girlfriend to Kellers VICTIM said...

For those of you who think you know it all, guess what, you really don't!!!

1-Stevie was not taking Xanax after leaving Kellers facility... 2-Keller gave him nearly 4 times the original dose of Methadone than what they had first prescribed to him on his first day of treatment... (Going from 40 milligrams to 140 milligrams in a matter of about 24 hours...) Was that safe??? HELL NO IT WAS NOT!!! Was it an example of poor judgement??? HELL YES IT WAS!!! 3-Keller didn't do any type of blood or urine test to determine what Stevie had in his system before prescribing anything to him???

Keller screwed up... Point blank!!! There is no excuse for ANY of his actions regarding how he treated or MISTREATED our STEVIE!!!

And why did Keller feel that he could rightfully preside as the coroner for a patient he had treated just hours before his death??? Or not report the death of his own patient to the state as necessary??? This Keller guy is just wrong for what he has done to us, our Stevie, and possibly many other patients... His license should be revoked without a doubt...

If you consider breaking the law, neglect, malpractice, and being a dirty, low down, piece of crap, lying "doctor", a "do gooder", then Keller is your guy... But to our family, he is a horrible person who deserves to rot in hell!!!

REST IN PEACE STEVEN MICHAEL VAUGHN
September 2, 1978 - December 3, 2008

WE WILL CONTINUE OUR FIGHT FOR YOUR JUSTICE!!!