Regulators accuse Chicago doctor of shady prescribing

CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois regulators have suspended the license of a Chicago doctor who allegedly prescribed narcotics improperly to patients he suspected were drug dealers.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation on Friday yanked the license of Dr. Ernesto Estor Jr.

The order says Estor prescribed more than 569,000 doses of controlled substances over a year and a half. Estor told U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration investigators he had "legit" patients and "west side" patients, but he was "cutting down on the druggies."

The order says Estor's patient records show him prescribing commonly abused opioid painkillers, cough medicine with codeine, and sedatives without proper physical exams. A pharmacist raised concerns about Estor's prescribing in at least one case.

An email seeking comment from Estor's attorney about the allegations wasn't immediately returned.