Psychologist to fight loss of license

Napa psychologist Frank Lucchetti has lost his license because an administrative judge found he illegally dispensed or prescribed prescription drugs to two patients. In a decision effective Friday, the California Board of Psychology adopted an administrative law judge's order to revoke Lucchetti's license, and he can no longer practice psychology in California. The judge also ruled Lucchetti has to pay $48,500 to the board and the California Attorney General's office to cover costs of prosecuting and investigating the case.

The judge ruled that Lucchetti had committed several violations of the state's Business and Professions code, including: unprofessional conduct; gross negligence; commission of a dishonest, corrupt or fraudulent act; and functioning outside one's field of competence.

According to a press release from the board, testimony showed that Lucchetti gave samples of prescription medications -- an antidepressant and a sedative -- to one patient in 2000, and altered a doctor's prescription for another patient in 2002 by changing the prescription to a greater quantity of another antidepressant prescription drug. The patients made the allegations to their physicians, who reported Lucchetti to the board.