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News Release — May 29, 2002
MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA
May 29, 2002
Medical Board Obtains Temporary Restraining Order
Suspending Practice of San Diego Physician
SACRAMENTO-The Medical Board of California has obtained a temporary restraining order prohibiting any medical practice by Egisto Salerno, M.D., of San Diego. In response to a Petition for Temporary Restraining Order submitted on behalf of the Board by Deputy Attorney General Beth Faber Jacobs, and as stipulated to by Salerno, San Diego County Superior Court Judge Thomas C. Hendrix ordered the temporary suspension of Salerno's medical license on May 21, 2002, and it became effective the next day.
In her Petition, Ms. Jacobs alleged that on April 22, 2002, Salerno illegally ingested cocaine, became violent and threatened to kill his wife with a loaded weapon, threatened to kill his mother-in-law, and had a paranoid psychotic event where he believed numerous people were in his house trying to kill him, although only his wife was there. When arrested by the police, he had a loaded semi-automatic handgun on him, a baggie of cocaine in his underwear, cocaine and marijuana in other places in his home, numerous other unregistered weapons and 300 rounds of ammunition in his home, and he admitted to having used cocaine that day, according to the Petition.
Felony charges were filed against Salerno, including possession of cocaine and a loaded operable firearm and unlawful use and being under the influence of cocaine while in the immediate possession of a loaded, operable firearm. After pleading not guilty, he was released on $160,000 bail. His next scheduled criminal proceeding is a hearing in San Diego Superior Court set for July 10, 2002.
Salerno already has been disciplined by the Medical Board. On May 18, 2001, the Board found he had engaged in unprofessional conduct and violated Business and Professions Code section 2234(b) (gross negligence) and 2266 (failure to maintain adequate and accurate medical records) and placed him on two years' probation. Shortly, the Board will file new administrative charges to revoke his probation and take additional licensing discipline based on Salerno's April 22 misconduct.
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The Medical Board of California is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating physicians in this state.
www.medbd.ca.gov
Information about specific physicians: (916) 263-2382
Complaint line: (800) 633-2322
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