The Enigmatic Journey of Jacqueline Cleggett: Unveiling the Secrets Behind the Pharmacist's Success
Dr Jacqueline Cleggett, a former doctor, gained prominence for catching the attention of pharmacist Dan Schneider However, she has since disappeared from the public eye
Summary
The Pharmacist is a true-crime documentary series that follows a small-town pharmacist, Dan Schneider, as he uncovers an illegal medical business in New Orleans.
After the arrest of his son's killer, Schneider embarks on an investigation triggered by a concerning increase in OxyContin prescriptions within his community.
At the center of Schneider's inquiry is Dr. Jacqueline Cleggett, the proprietor of a pain management clinic that operated under questionable circumstances, accumulating a hefty sum of over half a million dollars through the extensive prescription of OxyContin bottles. Since then, Dr. Cleggett has notably withdrawn from public attention.
Netflix's documentary series, The Pharmacist, follows the gripping story of one man's journey from seeking justice for his son's murder to uncovering a corrupt medical enterprise. Set in St. Bernard Parish, New Orleans, Louisiana, the series revolves around Dan Schneider, a determined pharmacist and activist, who embarks on an unofficial investigation after successfully identifying his son's killer, Jeffery Hall.
As the gripping true-crime documentary unfolds, Schneider's attention is captured by a sudden surge in opioid prescriptions, specifically for the drug OxyContin, following Hall's conviction. Drawing on the expertise he acquired during his initial pursuit of justice, Schneider initiates a second investigation, delving deeper into the alarming increase of OxyContin prescriptions. This pursuit ultimately leads him to the discovery of Dr. Jacqueline Cleggett and her dubious medical clinic, actively involved in prescribing these drugs.
While The Pharmacist covers the intricate details of this period, revealing the extent of Dr. Cleggett's involvement, several lingering questions remain unanswered. These include her background, the circumstances that captured Schneider's attention, and the subsequent events following her arrest.
Jacqueline Cleggett Is A Former Doctor
Born on August 9, 1962, Dr. Jacqueline Cleggett grew up in Moss Point, Mississippi. Graduating from Morehouse School of Medicine, she initially worked as a family physician before joining Gulf South Medical Consultants, where she specialized in soft tissue exams (via Nola). Unhappy with the demanding nature of her role at Gulf South, Cleggett left the organization and obtained a degree from the American Academy of Pain Medicine. Subsequently, she opened her own medical clinic in New Orleans, promoting herself as a pain management specialist (via Oxygen).
While Dr. Jacqueline Cleggett's pain management clinic appeared to be a legitimate and certified establishment, further examination revealed suspicious practices. As highlighted in the documentary by Schneider, Cleggett's clinic operated until late hours, only accepting cash payments, and indiscriminately prescribed high-dose OxyContin to individuals, regardless of the need for such medication. Profiting significantly between 2000 and 2001, she earned over half a million dollars by dispensing thousands of bottles of OxyContin.
How Jacqueline Cleggett Got Pharmacist Dan Schneider's Attention
Schneider's newfound detective skills were once again in demand when he, a small-town pharmacist, noticed a concerning increase in patients with prescriptions for OxyContin. He discovered that the majority of these prescriptions were written by Dr. Jacqueline Cleggett, who had a tendency to prescribe high dosages of 40mg or more. This posed a significant danger, as many patients showed no signs of pain or illness, and even if they had medical conditions, the prescribed drugs were excessively strong.
Although Schneider tried to warn patients about the risks associated with such high dosages, his cautions mostly fell on deaf ears. From 2000 to 2001, the abuse of OxyContin became a widespread issue across the United States, and St. Bernard Parish emerged as one of the hardest-hit areas in Louisiana, with a remarkably high per capita overdose rate. Frustrated by the circumstances, Schneider collaborated with the FBI, DEA, and Louisiana authorities to initiate an investigation into Dr. Jacqueline Cleggett, which ultimately led to her arrest.
Jacqueline Cleggett Has Largely Disappeared From The Public Eye
Dr. Jacqueline Cleggett faced severe consequences when her medical license was revoked by the medical board in 2002. Additionally, Schneider's investigation revealed that her illegal "pill mill" operation extended beyond Louisiana, as she was also selling OxyContin to individuals in Mississippi who would distribute the drugs throughout the state. Ultimately, 17 people involved in the operation were arrested. In 2007, Cleggett was charged with illegally distributing OxyContin and other drugs from June 2000 to February 2002. She faced a potential 20-year prison sentence and a $1 million fine.
However, in 2009, Cleggett entered into a plea deal by pleading guilty to the illegal dispensing of controlled substances. This allowed her to avoid jail time and she was sentenced to only three months of probation. Since then, Cleggett has largely kept out of the public eye, apart from a sit-down interview on the final episode of The Pharmacist, where she shared her perspective and denied any wrongdoing or contribution to the unlawful activities. The most recent public record of Cleggett's whereabouts indicates that she resides in an apartment in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
