Death of Matthew Perry: The California Medical Association continues its investigation into the accused doctors and promises to take “appropriate action”

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The California Medical Association said the investigation into the doctors charged in connection with Matthew Perry's death is ongoing and that it will take “appropriate action.”

Five people have been charged in connection with the actor's death from a ketamine overdose last year, including the actor's assistant and two doctors – Dr. Mark Chavez and Dr. Salvador Plasencia.

“The panel is committed to protecting the public and is actively investigating these matters. It will take appropriate action based on the facts, circumstances and available evidence,” the panel said in a statement on Thursday.

Plasencia reopened his medical clinic in Calabasas on Tuesday.

Lawyers for Plasencia said that although he had reopened the clinic, he was not treating patients and that a sign was on the door saying he was a defendant in a pending case and was accused of serious crimes.

The sign also stated that he was not allowed to prescribe controlled substances but that he would retain his medical license.

Plasencia is accused of selling the ketamine to Perry, which ultimately led to his death. At the time, the actor was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy to treat his depression.

How often does it happen that a doctor continues to practice after being arrested?

Although Plasencia’s lawyers said he had not treated any patients, legallyhe can do that.

The following is currently required for a court order:

• A disclaimer on the clinic door regarding the case

• Patients must sign a form confirming that they are aware that their case is pending

Both the notice and the form must indicate that Plasencia has surrendered its DEA registration and is no longer permitted to prescribe controlled substances.

In a statement, the panel said: “With respect to the California licenses of both physicians, the panel has not taken any disciplinary action against the licenses of Dr. Mark Chavez and Dr. Salvador Plasencia at this time.”

So on the one hand there is the criminal proceedings and on the other hand there is the investigation by the Medical Association.

One case that may shed light on the outcome of these parallel proceedings is that of Dr. Conrad Murray, who was convicted of manslaughter in connection with the death of Michael Jackson.

In this case, Murray's medical license was suspended following his conviction, which occurred nearly two years after the charges were filed.

The director of public relations for the California Medical Association told USC's Center for Health Journalism that the association had asked the court to impose restrictions on Murray.

In early 2010, the court imposed restrictions, including banning Murray from administering anesthetics.

About a year later, the court ordered him to stop practicing medicine in the state of California. Ten months later, he was convicted.

The committee said it would have taken action if the court had not agreed with its recommendations, stressing that the public would be protected while Murray exercised his right to a fair trial and investigators sought evidence in the case against him.

So far, the Medical Council has not taken any disciplinary action against the two doctors, but it is possible that the court will impose restrictions, as in the Murray case.

Who is Dr. Salvador Plasencia

U.S. prosecutors allege that Plasencia and the other defendants took advantage of Perry's addiction and knew what they were doing was wrong, citing a text message he sent.

“(Plasencia) wrote in a text message in September 2023, 'I wonder how much this idiot is going to pay,'” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada.

“This just shows evil. This is clearly not a medical text. This is the text of an opportunist who just wants to make money,” said civil litigation attorney Tre Lovell.

Plasencia was arrested and charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of tampering with and falsifying documents or records in connection with the federal investigation into Perry's death. In court, where he was wearing civilian clothes and handcuffed and shackled, he pleaded not guilty. He was released on $100,000 bail.

ALSO READ: What doctors want to know about ketamine, the treatment that cost Matthew Perry his life

His lawyer, Stefan Sacks, said the doctor sold Perry ketamine but insisted he did not break the law.

“Ultimately, Dr. Plasencia provided medical treatment to Mr. Perry. He acted in good faith and within the scope of his duty, and whether or not he made an error of judgment in hindsight does not change the fact that he did so with the best medical intentions,” Sacks said.

“He was professional. Nothing was prescribed,” said former patient Adam Gangi. “He answered my questions. His staff was friendly, so my overall experience was positive.”

“I'm disappointed, but not surprised,” said patient Callie Beeman, adding that she no longer feels she can trust Plasencia because of his involvement in Perry's case.

“He viewed Perry as an object he wanted to make money from, not as a person,” Beeman said.

Plasencia, 42, graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a medical degree in 2010 and has not been disciplined, records show. His license expires in October.

According to prosecutors, Plasencia faces a maximum of 120 years in prison.

Who is Dr. Mark Chavez

Also at the center of the case is Chavez, a San Diego doctor who was involved in obtaining the ketamine. He has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

Chavez sold ketamine, which he had previously obtained by writing a fake prescription, to Plasencia, who then resold it to Perry's personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who admitted to injecting the actor three times on the day of his death.

Chavez, who previously ran a ketamine clinic, also obtained additional ketamine from a controlled substance wholesaler and falsified statements on forms stating that the drug would not be sold or distributed to third parties or used for any other purpose.

Chavez, 54, graduated from UCLA with a medical degree in 2004 and founded a company called The Health MD, which appears to be a concierge practice focused on longevity and fitness. Like Plasencia, Chavez has never been disciplined, according to his record. His license expires in 2026.

Perry turns to “Ketamine Queen” Jasveena Sangha

Prosecutors said Perry later turned to Jasveen Sangha, known to her clients as the “ketamine queen,” who provided the actor with cheaper ketamine – 50 vials for $11,000.

She also pleaded not guilty. However, the judge revoked her bail and she remains in jail. Her next hearing is in two months.

Iwamasa is expected to be sentenced in the coming weeks for his role in Perry's death.

Looking at the timing, federal prosecutors said it all happened within a two-month period, adding that Perry relapsed into addiction last fall before he died in October.

What happens next?

Chavez is scheduled to plead guilty in court on Friday, August 30, and a sentencing date will likely be set. Plasencia is scheduled to appear in court again on October 8, but the U.S. Attorney expects that date to change.

A week later, on October 15, Sangha will have to appear in court again. The lawyers believe that a settlement will most likely be reached before the trial resumes.

There are no sentencing dates yet for Perry's assistants and alleged distributors.

Their sentencing dates are under seal, but the U.S. Attorney hopes the seal will be lifted as soon as possible.

ABC News and The Associated Press contributed to this report