Two Monterey County doctors accused of negligence by California Medical Board

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Two Monterey County doctors, Dr. Eric Jacobson and Dr. Paul Tocchet, are facing accusations of negligence and petitions to revoke their medical licenses by the California Medical Board.

Jacobson practices psychiatry at Community Hospital Behavioral Health on Hartnell Street.

According to medical board records, Jacobson began treating a 52-year-old woman, referred to as Patient A, in September 2018. He is accused of prescribing a benzodiazepine long-term to the patient, who had a history of substance abuse and admitted to taking more than prescribed; failing to maintain accurate records and committing repeated negligent acts and omissions.

In 2018, records show that Jacobson was reprimanded for failing to refer a patient's electroconvulsive therapy treatment to the electroconvulsive therapy peer review committee for discussion.

In response to the allegations, a CHOMP spokesperson issued this statement:

"An open review is being completed by the state medical board to determine if the allegations have any merit. While that review is being conducted, we will continue to focus on providing the highest-quality care to each patient in a safe environment."

Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula

Tocchet, a Carmel Valley doctor who is not affiliated with CHOMP, is accused of prescribing a controlled substance without seeing a patient for several months and prescribing without documenting a clear diagnosis.

Five patients are listed in the complaint against Tocchet. The document says that several of the patients had histories of substance abuse, but he continued to prescribe multiple controlled substances. The complaint said he is suspected of prescribing opioids and benzodiazepines, both addictive controlled substances, in "excessive amounts;" prescribing without proper medical indication; inadequate record-keeping; failing to monitor patients on controlled substances and showing a "lack of knowledge" about his prescriptions.

If he is found guilty, Jacobson could have his medical license revoked or suspended for up to a year, be placed on probation, be required to pay the costs of probation or other actions. Tocchet could also face having his medical license revoked, having his right to practice suspended for up to a year, being placed on probation, paying the costs of probation and other potential actions.

KION attempted to reach out to both doctors for comment. We were directed to a CHOMP spokesperson who said they are not conducting interviews during the review, and it appears that Tocchet has closed his practice.