HAMILTON — A southwestern Montana doctor charged with 400 felonies in connection to overprescribing pain medication, which officials say lead to the deaths of two patients, has pleaded not guilty.
The Ravalli Republic reports 67-year-old Chris Arthur Christensen made his first appearance in Ravalli County District Court Tuesday.
Christensen faces two counts of negligent homicide, nine counts of criminal endangerment related to the potential for overdoses and 389 felony counts of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs.
Christensen’s Big Creek Family Medicine Clinic in Florence was raided in April 2014 and Christensen’s license was suspended. The state agreed to issue him a probationary license in May 2015 if he agreed to acknowledge some wrongdoing and work under the supervision of another physician.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 28.