Doctor Swapped Drugs For Sex

FEBRUARY 22--A Florida doctor bartered painkiller prescriptions in return for sex from at least five female patients, according to investigators. Benjamin Malalang, 70, was nabbed yesterday in a police sting launched after one of the women approached Jacksonville cops with details of the pills-for-sex deal.

According to a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office arrest report, the woman said that 'within the last year' she began performing 'a sex act on Dr. Malalang' in return for prescriptions for OxyContin, the powerful painkiller. She told police that the encounters occurred at the home and office of Malalang, an acupuncture specialist.

Following his arrest, police said, Malalang admitted trading prescriptions for sexual favors and said that four other female patients took part in the illicit arrangement.

Malalang, pictured in the mug shot above, is facing a felony charge of trafficking in illegal drugs. He is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail at the Duval County lockup. (2 pages)