Psychiatrist Pleads Not Guilty to Drug, Weapons Charges
A Newport Beach psychiatrist whose medical license was suspended last week because of alleged drug use, sexual misconduct and negligence pleaded not guilty Thursday to drug and weapons charges in Municipal Court.
Roger John Palmieri, 47, faces two felony counts of cocaine possession and a misdemeanor charge of negligently firing a gun stemming from two incidents this spring.
Court and medical board records charge that in one of the incidents, Palmieri shot at his refrigerator several times Feb. 7 while allegedly under the influence of drugs, because he believed there were intruders in his Newport Beach apartment.
A report by a California Medical Board investigator contends that Palmieri spoke of personal problems during therapy sessions, had an affair with a client and sold two of the woman’s rings to buy cocaine. His license was suspended Aug. 3.
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