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PROVO, Utah (AP) -- A Lehi obstetrician-gynecologist accused of forging prescriptions to obtain drugs for himself has agreed to a plea in abeyance.
Under the deal approved Thursday, the charges against Robert C. Richards, 54, will be dismissed in two years if he abides by conditions in the agreement.
Richards was charged with 18 third-degree felony counts of failing to keep records and forging prescriptions.
Richards will continue participating in weekly meetings at Dayspring, a drug treatment center, as well as receiving treatment from a psychiatrist, his attorney, Harold Reiser, told 4th District Judge Fred Howard.
Richards still practices medicine, but cannot issue prescriptions for five years.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)