Anna Nicole Smith's Boyfriend, Howard K. Stern, Drs. Sandeep Kapoor and Khristine Eroshevich Charged in an 11-Count Felony Complaint in her Death

I was no fan of Anna Nicole Smith, but I was absolutely horrified to learn that Howard K. Stern, her lawyer-turn-confidant, was nothing more than a drug pusher and an enabler in every sense of the word. The people around her helped her to destroy herself and they should pay for what they did. Stern and Drs. Sandeep Kapoor and Khristine Eroshevich were charged in an 11-count felony complaint on Thursday, including conspiracy, unlawfully prescribing a controlled substance and prescribing, administering or dispensing a controlled substance to an addict.

"These individuals repeatedly and excessively furnished thousands of prescription pills to Anna Nicole Smith, often for no legitimate medical purpose," California Attorney General Jerry Brown said in a statement.

Prosecutors said the doctors gave thousands of prescription drugs - including opiates and sedatives - to Stern, who then gave them to Smith. The prescriptions were issued between June 2004 and January 2007, just weeks before her death two years ago. Medical examiners have said Eroshevich, a Los Angeles psychiatrist and friend of Smith's, authorized all 11 of the prescription medications found in the Hollywood, Fla., hotel room where the 39-year-old model was found unresponsive shortly before her death on Feb. 8, 2007.

Stern and Kapoor turned themselves in Thursday night at the Whittier police station and each posted $20,000 bond. Eroshevich was expected to surrender Monday. Source: NY Daily News

The quantity of drugs prescribed in Stern's name was staggering. More than 600 pills - including about 450 muscle relaxants - were missing from prescriptions that were no more than five weeks old. Ultimately, it was a syrup - the powerful sleeping aid chloral hydrate - blamed with tipping the balance in the toxic mix of drugs and causing her death. When she died, his tears weren't tears of sorrow. Please. He cried because of what was to come in the aftermath of her demise. All three are no better than the drug dealer on the corner. I don't care if this trio spends a short time in prison, but the message being sent is clear. You cannot be a drug pusher and fly under the radar for ever. It is bound to catch up with you sooner rather than later.