The fate of Physician’s Pharmacy, the controversial pharmacy that had been set to open in Piketon, is in the hands of Administrative Law Judge Timothy Wing with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Columbus Attorney Steven Hillman, closely associated with several former pain clinics in Portsmouth, attempted to open a pharmacy in Piketon, which from the start has been opposed by Piketon Mayor Billy Spencer and the DEA. Hillman said the State Pharmacy Board of Ohio had approved his pharmacy license, but the DEA nixed the idea leading to a court trial on Tuesday in Cincinnati.

At that trial, the case for the state opposing the opening of the pharmacy was presented by Chris Cresnak, a diversion officer with the DEA.

Witnesses for Hillman were a former partner in the pharmacy Don Wolery, current partner William Michael Caserta, Larry James of Columbus, who was hired to be the pharmacist operating the pharmacy, Hillman and Cresnak.

Wing did not render a decision, but is expected to do so within about six weeks.

“My impression of Judge Wing is he won’t waste any time,” Hillman said. “They had three days set aside for the trial, and I knew it wouldn’t take anywhere close to that, and it was done in one day.”

Hillman said both sides would receive Wing’s decision by email.

Hillman recently lost his bid for a summary judgment against the City of Portsmouth. Hillman had asked visiting Judge Charles Cooper to declare an ordinance regulating pain clinics as out of line, since the state passed similar legislation. Cooper ruled the two pain clinics in question had not filed for a license, so they had not yet been denied a license. He dismissed the summary judgment.

FRANK LEWIS may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or flewis@heartlandpublications.com.