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News Release — June 1, 2005
MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA
June 1, 2005
Medical Board of California
Obtains
Suspension of Napa Physician's License
SACRAMENTO—In response to a Petition filed by Deputy Attorney General David Carr on behalf of the Medical Board of California, Administrative Law Judge Ruth Astle issued a full interim suspension order (ISO) on May 31, 2005 against the medical license of Jeffrey T. Gray, M.D., of Napa. The suspension order is based upon a finding that permitting Gray to continue to engage in the practice of medicine will endanger the public health, safety, and welfare. The Order was immediately effective and bars Gray from practicing medicine while in effect.
A board investigator was assigned to investigate allegations against Gray by the Napa County Health and Human Services where he worked as a psychiatrist. The Petition alleges that Gray began seeing a 17-year-old female psychiatric patient in 1997 through the Napa County Health and Human Services until, according to the patient, January 29, 2001 when Gray suggested that she switch her psychiatric care to Kaiser so they could see one another socially. Gray and the patient began a sexual relationship that very evening. Gray failed to refer the patient to an independent psychiatrist. Two other female former patients of Gray told the Napa County Sheriff's detectives that he had suggested inappropriate social contact with them.
Napa County sheriff's detectives conducted a search of Gray's home pursuant to a search warrant issued in the course of the criminal investigation. Seized in that search were controlled substances prescribed by Gray for persons believed not to be his patients, a prescription from another doctor to Gray's former assistant, and vicodin in an unlabeled container. Analysis of Gray's home computer revealed thousands of images of sexually explicit activity.
On May 12, 2004, the Napa County District Attorney filed a five-count criminal complaint against Gray, alleging felonious prescribing of a possession of a controlled substance and possession of controlled substances, sexual exploitation of a patient or former patients, a misdemeanor, and misdemeanor violations of the prohibition against possession of child pornography. At Gray's arraignment, the court granted the board's request to suspend Gray's medical license as a condition of his bail. Gray filed a petition in Napa Superior Court seeking rescission of the order suspending his license and on July 27, 2004, the court denied his petition. Gray subsequently filed a writ in the Court of Appeal at which time Gray's petition was granted. On remittitur from the appellate court, the Napa Superior Court on March 15, 2005 vacated its order suspending Gray's license. The board, thereafter, obtained and filed a declaration from an expert psychiatrist in support of the suspension order. The trial of the criminal allegations against Gray is pending at this time.
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The mission of the Medical Board is to protect healthcare consumers through the proper licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons and certain allied healthcare professions and through the vigorous, objective enforcement of the Medical Practice Act.
If you have a question or complaint about the healthcare you are receiving, the board encourages you to visit its Web site at www.caldocinfo.ca.gov or for questions call the Consumer Information Line at (916) 263-2382, or with complaints call (800) 633-2322.
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