And here you thought you had heard the last of Howard K. Stern… wishful thinking.
The man who was at the forefront of the Anna Nicole Smith baby paternity battle is making headlines yet again. This time, though, the issue is not child’s play. Rather, Stern has been formally charged with conspiring to furnish drugs to the Playboy Playmate prior to her death.
According to reports, Stern, who at one time referred to himself as Smith’s fiance and claimed to be the father of her daughter Dannielyn, was arrested and charged with allegedly conspiring to “fuel an addict with prescription drugs.” Stern reportedly made his $20,000 bail and was released from jail late last night.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney, Stern worked with two doctors, Sandeep Kapoor, 40, and Khristine Eroshevich, 61, who allegedly prescribed medication unlawfully to Smith between July 2004 and January 2007. Smith died from a lethal cocktail of prescription drugs in February 2007.
Reports say Kapoor and Eroshevich were each arrested and placed in jail, charged with obtaining a prescription for opiates by “fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.” Both doctors were also charged with one count of obtaining a prescription for opiates by giving a false name or address.
TMZ.com is reporting that California drug officials recently raided the Los Angeles office of Dr. Kapoor, looking for evidence against Stern. Despite his alleged involvement in Smith’s death, Stern has vehemently denied doing anything illegal in connection with drugs and Anna Nicole.
Unfortunately for Stern, California drug officials never believed a word he said, and were determined to find evidence linking him and the drugs that killed Smith shortly after the reality TV star’s autopsy report was complete.
Frankly, I wasn’t that surprised to hear that Stern allegedly helped obtain drugs for Smith. After all, wasn’t that what he was paid to do? After her son Daniel died, Smith claimed that she wanted to end it all herself. Stern probably had to keep her medicated so she could remain upright and semi-coherent for the sake of her then newborn daughter. Now he has to pay for his actions.