Towson Gynecologist's Medical License Suspended After Drug Investigation

By Adam Bednar

The license of a Towson gynecologist has been suspended after a state report accused him of improperly providing drugs to a patient with whom he was having a sexual relationship.

The Maryland Board of Physicians issued an order suspending John Yacoub’s license on Oct. 8 after its investigation determined "that the public health, safety or welfare imperatively requires emergency action."

No criminal charges have been filed. 

According to the Maryland Physician Board's report, Yacoub, who practiced at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, was terminated from a local hospital in November 2012 after a staff member reported him for allegedly failing to adhere to rules regarding the procurement, storage and dispensation of drugs, including controlled dangerous substances.

A staff member, who was concerned Yacoub was selling drugs, took photos of “multiple large bottles containing CDS” in his office and showed the photos to hospital administrators, according to the report.

The Drug Enforcement Agency also began to investigate Yacoub. The agency alleged that beginning four years ago he mailed medications to a patient with whom he was having a sexual relationship, and about two years ago began prescribing controlled dangerous substances at her request, according to the report. 

On Sept. 23, 2013, the DEA raided Yacoub’s home and found the patient to whom he's accused of providing drugs, bottles with various patients’ names and residue on a kitchen table that was later determined to be cocaine, according to the report.   

After Yacoub returned home from assisting with a surgical procedure, agents searched his phone and found text messages discussing the medications he had prescribed the woman and another patient.

Agents also discovered photos of female genitalia, including some showing a gloved hand touching or close to the genitalia with medical equipment visible, the report reads.