Ex-South Bay Health Official Accused Of Trading Prescriptions For Sex
LOS GATOS (KCBS)— A former top administrator of Santa Clara County's health plan has been charged with 18 felonies including trading prescriptions in return for sex, methamphetamine, and cash.
61-year-old Dr. Marvin Bonham is accused of illegally prescribing drugs to 29 individuals as well as throwing sex and drug parties at his gated home in Los Gatos. Bonham was medical director of Valley Health Plan until last week.
"He had a substantial paying position with Valley Health Plan. I think he was making in excess of $200,000 a year," said Santa Clara County Supervising Deputy District Attorney James Sibley.
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
Bonham was arrested following an operation by investigators called "Operation Oxy Exhange."
Sibley said he believed the operation was primarily for access to methamphetamine.
"There's some indication that there might be some sex angles into it. The house had surveillance cameras, but they didn't just [surveil] the exterior of the house. There were some pointed at beds inside the residence," Sibley explained.
According to Sibley, Dr. Bonham prescribed his roommate in excess of 1,000 Oxycontin tablets when Bonham's roommate was "clearly an addict." The roommate was also arrested.
"Doctors are not supposed to hurt people. They're supposed to help people," Sibley said.
Bonham is facing up to 25 years in prison.
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