A West Hollywood psychiatrist charged with operating a "pill mill" and writing thousands of narcotics prescriptions without examining patients who paid cash has been granted conditional release on more than $2 million bond.

Dr. Nathan Kuemmerle (COOM'-er-lee) pleaded not guilty last month to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

A federal judge on Monday granted Kuemmerle's motion for release after his parents pledged four properties to the court as collateral.

U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee says after Kuemmerle is released he must enter a residential drug treatment program facility, submit to 24-hour electronic monitoring and temporarily turn over his medical license and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration registration.

Kuemmerle faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted. His trial is scheduled to begin in December.

Read the CCHR report "When Prescribing Psychotropic Drugs Becomes Criminal Negligence."

Source: "Alleged 'pill mill' psychiatrist released on bond," Associated Press, June 14, 2010.

IF YOUR PSYCHIATRIST HAS PRESCRIBED TO YOU IN A WAY THAT HAS CAUSED YOU HARM, OR IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT UNLAWFUL PRESCRIBING PRACTICES, REPORT IT TO CITIZENS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS, WHO CAN ASSIST YOU IN FILING REPORTS, COMPLAINTS, ETC.  PLEASE CONTACT STEVE WAGNER, DIRECTOR OF LITIGATION AT [email protected]