Prince's doctor fined for drug violations in singer's death

A message to Prince on the Riley Creek underpass in front of Paisley Park. Photo: Melissa Ruggieri/AJC

Credit: Melissa Ruggieri

Credit: Melissa Ruggieri

A message to Prince on the Riley Creek underpass in front of Paisley Park. Photo: Melissa Ruggieri/AJC

BY MELISSA RUGGIERI/AJC Music Scene

Minnesota doctor Dr. Michael T. Schulenberg has been fined $30,000 for violating the Controlled Substances Act for knowingly prescribing painkillers for Prince’s drummer, which he knew were for Prince himself.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that Schulenberg will pay the fine and be monitored under a two-year agreement with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as part of the settlement.

Neither Prince’s name, nor that of his drummer and assistant Kirk Johnson, appears in the civil settlement agreement. But following Prince’s April 21, 2016 death at Paisley Park, federal search warrants disclosed that Schulenberg admitted to writing prescriptions for Percocet in Johnson’s name, though he knew they were for Prince.

The source of the fentanyl dose that killed the singer is still unknown.

RELATED> Watch Prince's rehearsal footage for the original "Nothing Compares 2 U"

RELATED>> Prince’s music will be celebrated by the ASO in new show created by Questlove

The Revolution memorializes Prince at Celebration concert

Inside Paisley Park on the anniversary of Prince’s death