Physician under investigation by DEA retires, to give up license

One of the two Ruston physicians under investigation by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration has retired and said he plans to give up his medical license.

But Dr. Mike Belue said Wednesday he has not resigned as Lincoln Parish coroner; he’s only shut down his medical practice.

“I voluntarily retired,” Belue said.

In November, DEA agents served search warrants on Belue, Dr. Allen Herbert and the Prescription Shoppe Pharmacy.

Both Belue and Herbert are family practitioners at Lincoln Community Health Center, located at 1140 South Vienna. Though the DEA has not confirmed it, other sources say the issue in volves narcotic prescriptions.

No arrests have been made, nor has the DEA or the U.S. Attorney’s office issued any statements about the investigation since the raid occurred Nov. 16.

Belue, 75, has been practicing for more than 43 years. He said the DEA asked him not to write prescriptions for narcotics “so I decided to retire.”

That happened Monday, even though there were still patient appointments on his books. A receptionist answering the phone at his office on Tuesday said patients taking pain medications or controlled substances would have to seek refills from a pain clinic.

Belue on Wednesday said he plans to give up his medical license. As of Wednesday, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners website continued to list Belue as active with no disciplinary actions.

If Belue does give up his license, the impact of that on his legal ability to serve the rest of his term as coroner is unclear. His term doesn’t expire until March 24, 2024.

But Louisiana law requires coroners to be “physicians licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners to practice medicine in the state of Louisiana.”

That requirement is waived only if no licensed physician qualifies to run for the position.

Meanwhile, Herbert, 80, who has been practicing 55 years, said Wednesday he has no plans to retire.