CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Huntington doctor has been publicly reprimanded by the state Board of Medicine and placed on three years' probation after he allegedly prescribed excessive amounts of painkilling narcotics to patients.

Dr. John T. Tiano, who specializes in cardiovascular medicine, was ordered to stop working at a Wayne County pain management clinic called The Justice Clinic. The Board of Medicine also prohibited Tiano from "moonlighting" as a family practice doctor, according to a disciplinary order.

The medical board started investigating Tiano in 2007 after receiving an anonymous complaint about the doctor's "unprofessional and unethical" conduct at the pain clinic in Stonecoal.

Tiano initially denied the allegations that he was prescribing excessive amounts of narcotics that weren't used to treat patients.

In response to the medical board's complaint, Tiano "listed a number of positive aspects of the clinic," according to a consent order filed last month.

In September, the board subpoenaed records from Marshall University, where Tiano completed his postgraduate training. Tiano lists Marshall's Department of Internal Medicine as his primary workplace.

The Board of Medicine ultimately concluded that Tiano was "prescribing, dispensing or administering prescription drugs other than in good faith and in a therapeutic manner" and "failing to practice medicine acceptably."

Tiano did not respond to messages left at his home this week.

An employee at the Wayne County pain clinic - also known as Justice Medical - declined Tuesday to say whether Tiano still worked there.

Dr. John T. Tiano, who specializes in cardiovascular medicine, was ordered to stop working at a Wayne County pain management clinic called The Justice Clinic. The Board of Medicine also prohibited Tiano from "moonlighting" as a family practice doctor, according to a disciplinary order.

The medical board started investigating Tiano in 2007 after receiving an anonymous complaint about the doctor's "unprofessional and unethical" conduct at the pain clinic in Stonecoal.

Tiano initially denied the allegations that he was prescribing excessive amounts of narcotics that weren't used to treat patients.

In response to the medical board's complaint, Tiano "listed a number of positive aspects of the clinic," according to a consent order filed last month.

In September, the board subpoenaed records from Marshall University, where Tiano completed his postgraduate training. Tiano lists Marshall's Department of Internal Medicine as his primary workplace.

The Board of Medicine ultimately concluded that Tiano was "prescribing, dispensing or administering prescription drugs other than in good faith and in a therapeutic manner" and "failing to practice medicine acceptably."

Tiano did not respond to messages left at his home this week.

An employee at the Wayne County pain clinic - also known as Justice Medical - declined Tuesday to say whether Tiano still worked there.

Marshall medical school spokeswoman Beverly McCoy said Tiano remains enrolled in a cardiology fellowship program.

"The actions of the Board of Medicine against Dr. Tiano didn't relate to anything that happened at Marshall," McCoy said.

As part of the disciplinary action, Tiano agreed to take an intensive course on controlled substances at Case Western University School of Medicine in Cleveland.

Tiano also must submit a written report summarizing a book called "Responsible Opioid Prescribing: A Physician's Guide."

In addition, he must appear before the Board of Medicine's disciplinary committee each of the next three years and send the results of a psychological evaluation to the agency by March 30.

Tiano, 40, will be allowed to continue to prescribe medications, but only as part of his cardiology practice, said Robert Knittle, director of the medical board, which has sent its consent order to the state Board of Pharmacy.

"Prescription drug abuse is a huge concern, especially in Southern West Virginia," Knittle said. "It's become very rampant in the last several years."

Reach Eric Eyre at erice...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-4869.