A local doctor of osteopathic medicine is facing criminal charges related to his prescribing practices after an investigation involving local, county, and federal law enforcement.
Dr. Joseph Edward Kepko, 64, of Middletown Township’s Levittown section, was charged Thursday with violating the state’s controlled substances, drug, device, and cosmetic act.
Authorities allege Kepko prescribed testosterone cypionate without a medically legitimate purpose.
Kepko’s arrest comes after an investigation launched on June 29, 2023, when the Drug Enforcement Administration contacted the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office. The probe was initiated after a patient’s death by suicide
The charges stem from alleged crimes that took place between Jan. 1, 2021, and Nov. 1, 2023, at Kepko’s office on Bensalem Boulevard in Bensalem Township.
Kepko also operates offices under the name Red Rose Rejuvenation in on Red Rose Drive in Levittown and in Hamilton Township, New Jersey.
Red Rose Rejuvenation boasts that it is “one of the largest anti-aging clinics in the country.” It advertises Botox, weight management, tattoo removal, hair transplants, scare reduction, face lifts, and laser hair removal.
A review of the Pennsylvania Prescription Drug Monitoring Program showed Kepko was issuing a high number of prescriptions for testosterone cypionate, an injectable controlled substance. The maximum recommended dosage for the 200 mg vial is no more than 400 milligrams every 14 days, authorities said.
Bucks County Detectives said they found that 712 male patients and 11 female patients received prescriptions for at least 800 mg of the drug for a 28-day period between Jan. 1, 2021, and Oct. 31, 2023.
Court papers detail that 371 male patients had at least one prescription for over 800 mg for a 14-day period.
Investigators executed search warrants at Kepko’s offices in August 2023 and February 2024.
The first search at the doctor’s Levittown office involved county detectives, the DEA, and Middletown Township police.
During the second search, which involved the county detectives and the DEA, Kepko stated that he was “relieved as he knows he has not over prescribed any of his patients this drug” and that he can prescribe up to 200mg per week and has never gone over that.
A doctor specializing in controlled substance prescribing reviewed a random sample of patient records for investigators.
The expert told law enforcement that most prescriptions reviewed were not for medically legitimate purposes in the usual course of professional practice.
The expert noted a lack of necessary blood work and pointed to the use of the anabolic steroid nandrolone, a drug banned in the U.S. for the last 30 years, as part of the “treatment protocol” for some patients, authorities said.
A later review of 32 patient files found 29 patients received testosterone prescriptions not in accordance with accepted treatment principles, officials said.
Kepko was previously looked at by federal authorities.
At the time of the settlement, Kepko told this news organization he had made a paperwork error and that the settlement was not due to anything “nefarious.”
“It won’t happen again,” Kepko said.
Kepko’s attorney, Michael Diamondstein, defended his client after he latest legal troubles.
“Dr. Kepko vehemently denies the allegations,” Diamondstein said. “He is a caring, capable, and dedicated doctor who has spent his life taking care of the residents of Bucks County. He looks forward to clearing his name.”
Kepko was released on $350,000 unsecured bail after being preliminarily arraigned before District Judge Michael Gallagher.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
See what the local and national media are saying about Michael Diamondstein and his cases.
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice will be allowed to enter a program to avoid prosecution in an alleged assault of his now-wife. Upon successful completion of the program — which will be a minimum of one year — the third-degree charge of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury would be dismissed. The arrest would remain on his record, but with no conviction.We were concerned that Mr. Rice would be treated more harshly because of his celebrity status. We are thankful that he was not. We are thankful that he was given the same treatment as anyone else in a similar situation.
- Michael J. Diamondstein
John Gallagher, founder of Gallagher Law in Philadelphia, has been indicted in federal court alongside other executives associated with aerospace startup Theia Group Inc. The indictment alleges involvement in a scheme where Theia falsely claimed plans to launch over 100 satellites for global surveillance, raising more than $250 million through fraudulent means. Gallagher, who served on Theia's board and as an executive vice president, is specifically accused of aiding founder Erlend Olson in financial misconduct and tax evasion activities. Gallagher, who specializes in space and satellite technology law, denies wrongdoing and intends to vigorously defend against these charges.“He [Gallagher] is a patriot, and we intend to vigorously defend his good name.”
- Michael Diamondstein
DT had spent three years in jail and was facing lifetimes more for multiple counts of child rape in Pennsylvania and Maryland. But Michael Diamondstein’s thorough investigation and strategic cross-examination forced prosecutors to withdraw their case mid-jury trial.“Michael Diamondstein is the best lawyer on Earth. He saved my life.”
- DT
Mark Young had been serving a life sentence for what prosecutors say was his role as a coconspirator in a 1974 bar robbery that ended in the shooting death of a patron. The 67-year-old Young, who maintained his innocence for almost 50 years, is now slated to be released from prison after a negotiated guilty plea. The judge vacated Young’s previous conviction and sentence.“The district attorney recognized the inequities in the case and we are thankful for the compassion and justice they decided was appropriate.”
- Michael Diamondstein
Willie Stokes's release comes after the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania vacated his murder conviction, concluding that the state violated Stokes's constitutional rights by "withholding" crucial evidence about the false testimony of a key witness in the case, according to court documents.He took his first free breaths this afternoon after almost 40 years, and he is very happy and humbled.
- Michael J. Diamondstein
Despite that fact that multiple videos showed local rap singer, Monte Small Atwell aka Benjy killing the decedent, a Philadelphia jury found Mr. Atwell Not Guilty of Murder. The video clearly showed that the unarmed decedent was chasing Mr. Atwell. Mr. Atwell’s attorney, Michael Diamondstein litigated a very effective self-defense case. After a number of withering cross examinations and a closing wherein Mr. Diamondstein exhorted the jurors that his client “would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6” the jury agreed that Mr. Atwell’s actions were justified.Mr. Diamondstein saved my life. He is the best there is.
- Monte Small Atwell aka Benjy
Six members of an elite Philadelphia narcotics squad were acquitted of federal corruption charges – a verdict the men described as “vindication” after nearly a decade of federal scrutiny surrounding their conduct. A jury of six men and six women took 5 1/2 days to reject prosecutors’ arguments that former Officers Thomas Liciardello, Brian Reynolds, Michael Spicer, Perry Betts, Linwood Norman, and John Speiser routinely beat and robbed drug suspects during their time as members of the Narcotics Field Unit.The things that were said about these honorable men and police officers over the last eight to 10 months were ridiculous. A lot of people in this city owe these heroes an apology.
- Michael J. Diamondstein
Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams pleaded not guilty to 23 counts of fraud, extortion, and bribery-related charges. But the problems of the city’s cash-strapped top prosecutor continued to mount outside the courtroom, a day after federal authorities accused him of repeatedly selling his influence to wealthy benefactors willing to bankroll his luxury tastes.This indictment is 24 hours old and yet too many politicians and commentators have already tried and convicted Seth Williams in the media. Simply because the government makes explosive allegations in a complaint doesn’t mean they’re going to prove it in a court of law.
- Michael J. Diamondstein
It's 8:00 on a September morning but Michael Diamonstein has already been in his office for hours. A criminal defense lawyer, Diamondstein likes to be prepared before he goes to court. That preparation paid off to get an innocent man cleared of all charges.The man gave me my life back.
- Yusef Bey
With evidence missing and the investigation tainted by the involvement of a detective who pleaded guilty to impeding justice, the District Attorney’s Office has withdrawn murder charges against a 28-year-old man, Dante Hill, in a 2011 shooting outside a North Philadelphia sports bar.Tremendous day, not only for Mr. Hill but for the entire Philadelphia justice system.
- Michael J. Diamondstein
Michael Diamondstein argued the original jail sentence is illegal because the previous judge assigned the case failed to address if Risoldi was eligible for re-entry, which would allow her to be released from jail early.Diamondstein added that Berks County Senior Judge Stephen Lieberman, who is now overseeing the case, has authority to reconsider the sentence made by the previous judge, who retired last year.
