Dr. Je Song was indicted earlier this month on charges of conspiring to dispense drugs outside the scope of medical practice. The 33-count indictment alleges Song wrote prescriptions for painkillers and anxiety drugs to people without a medical exam and sometimes to people he'd never met.
The indictment was sealed until Friday, when the seven pleaded not guilty during an arraignment in Gulfport.
In court Friday, the seven were appointed public defenders. They are in the custody of the U.S. Marshal's Service until a detention hearing Tuesday. A trial date was set for September 12.
The indictment alleges that Song's six co-defendants were middle men getting the prescriptions from Song and completing the sales.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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