Medical board says Murray can practice in Nevada

Dr. Conrad Murray, the cardiologist implicated in the 2009 death of pop star Michael Jackson, can still practice medicine in Nevada.

On Friday, the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners, which can strip a doctor of his license for failing to pay child support, ruled that Murray is up to date on his payments. In March, the board, acting on information that Murray wasn't paying child support, had filed a formal complaint against him.

Miranda Sevcik, a spokeswoman for Murray, said there never was a need for a board investigation.

"He's always been trying to negotiate a way to meet his obligations," Sevcik said, suggesting that any nonpayment was a "technicality" that Murray was trying to get worked out in court.

In November 2009, Murray's attorney, Christopher Aaron, told Clark County District Judge Gerald Hardcastle that his client was having difficulty paying monthly child support because he had to close his medical practice. Aaron said, however, that a benefactor would help Murray meet his obligations. Hardcastle ordered Murray to pay a $1,003 a month.

Douglas Cooper, executive director of the medical board, said the evidence shows Murray has been making support payments.

Because Murray did not keep the board informed of how he was handling child support matters, however, the board chose to issue him a public reprimand, Cooper said.

In 2009, Murray, who is licensed in Nevada, Texas and California, was working for $150,000 per month as Jackson's personal physician. Jackson's June 2009 death was ruled a homicide by the Los Angeles County coroner, who said the death was caused primarily by the drug propofol and another sedative.

Investigators said Murray told them he had administered propofol as a sleep aid, along with other sedatives, in the hours before the singer died.

In June, the Nevada medical board entered into another settlement with Murray, one that does not allow him to administer or prescribe propofol or any anesthetic similar to what Jackson received.

Murray's preliminary hearing on the manslaughter charge is scheduled for January in Los Angeles.

Cooper said he understands Murray is no longer practicing in Nevada.

Sevcik, who is based in Houston, said she thinks Murray is practicing in Las Vegas, but she said she did not know where. The phone Murray has listed with the medical board has been disconnected, and telephone information does not have another number on file. He no longer works at his old office on East Flamingo Road.

He has listed a post office box as an address for the medical board.

Contact reporter Paul Harasim at pharasim@review journal.com or 702-387-2908.