After an investigation by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, the former Lake Havasu city doctor is now awaiting trial on nearly 50 felonies. State and defense attorneys now have more time to prepare.
Defendant Jose A. Lopez, 40, has a constitutional right to a speedy trial. In most felony cases, Arizona law stipulates that from his 150 days to 180 days from his arraignment in the Superior Court of Mojave, he must make such a trial. But on Monday, Mojave Senior Judge Derek Carlisle approved a motion to designate Lopez’s case as “complex.” The distinction extends Lopez’s trial to 270 days from his arraignment on Dec. 19. their discussion.
According to Carlyle, the three factors in Monday’s decision to designate Lopez’s case as “complicated” were not only the number of felony counts against Lopez, but also the number of counts of felony charges against Lopez, as well as the multiple counts of six separate violations included in the compound charges. and the defense that multiple witnesses will be called in Lopez’s trial. Carlyle also noted the large amount of evidence that may already exist after the Attorney General’s investigation.
Lopez used to treat patients at the Institute for Men’s Health and Performance at 89 Civic Center Lane. This office she shared a space with Dr. Essasidiki from Havasu Primary Care.
Details of the investigation or the exact nature of the charges against Lopez were not made public as of Monday.The Arizona grand jury found four counts of fraud, one count of conspiracy and 41 counts of computer tampering on Dec. 5, according to the Attorney General’s Office. , indicted Lopez on one count of identity theft and one count of money laundering.
Lake Havasu City police officers took Lopez into custody on December 16. The location is on his 2000 block on McCulloch Boulevard.
According to prosecutors, Lopez may have illegally obtained employment, prescription drugs, or financial benefits under false pretexts through fraudulent schemes between June 17 and March 2021.
Among the crimes listed, state prosecutors believe Lopez stole Siddiqui’s identity. Lopez said that while practicing with Siddiqui, he may have used to forge prescriptions for drugs containing albuterol, norelade, hydroxyzine, meloxicam, baclofen, and others.
Havasu resident Bonnie M. Elizarraz has also been charged with the scheme and is currently facing charges of fraud and conspiracy.
As attorneys prepare for Lopez’s final trial, the Attorney General’s Office is seeking assistance from residents of Lake Havasu City or Mojave County who were treated by Lopez. You will be asked to contact the Office of Health Care Fraud and Abuse Section at 928-778-7463.
Lopez’s next scheduled appearance in the Mojave Superior Court is the case’s status conference on June 27.
Because this case is currently designated as “complex,” Carlyle will schedule regular case management meetings every 30 to 45 days. The attorney must submit a joint case management report for the case at least two days before her each case management meeting.
As of Monday, Lopez and Elizararaz have not been taken into custody.
