Doctor says he’s innocent

KINGMAN, Ariz. -- Two Southern Nevada men charged in an alleged prescription drug conspiracy rooted in northwest Arizona pleaded not guilty during their Friday arraignment in Mohave County Superior Court.

Dr. Albert Szu Yun Yeh, 44, of Las Vegas, and Bryan Espinosa, 54, of Henderson, were released from custody after posting bail.

Yeh faces conspiracy, money laundering, administering narcotic drugs and other charges in a 14-count indictment. Espinosa is charged with similar offenses in a seven-count indictment.

The government contends that Yeh used the pain management clinic he formerly operated in Golden Valley, Ariz., to illegally distribute prescription drugs. The Drug Enforcement Administration alleged that Yeh skipped routine medical protocols in writing prescriptions for patients who included undercover agents.

Yeh also operated a pain management clinic in Las Vegas, where Espinosa served as his physician's assistant.

Defense attorney Dan Goldfine told Judge Rick Williams on Friday that his client is eager for his day in court.

"Dr. Yeh would like to get this over as quickly as possible," he said. "We'll be ready to go to trial in December."

After the arraignment, Goldfine said he would file a motion to dismiss the charges.

Assistant Arizona Attorney General Douglas Lau told the court he would be amending the original indictment, but after the hearing he said he couldn't answer any questions about the case.