PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A Paintsville doctor currently under federal indictment for improperly prescribing opioids has asked a judge to allow him to start writing prescriptions again.

Dr. Loey Kousa is charged with unlawfully distributing controlled substances, health care fraud and making false statements. He is accused of prescribing opioids to patients who had no medical need for them and requiring them to undergo medically unnecessary tests that were billed to Medicare, Medicaid or insurance.

As part of the conditions of his release, the judge banned him from being able to prescribe controlled substances, but now he wants that changed. Last week, his attorney filed a motion arguing the ban is too restrictive and is not supported by the evidence in the case.

The judge will rule on the request at a later time.