Prominent Charlotte eye doctor accused of cocaine use

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A prominent Charlotte eye doctor, who has faced two sexual harassment lawsuits and a malpractice lawsuit, now faces accusations of cocaine use.

A notice of charges and allegations before the North Carolina Medical Board alleges Dr. John Christenbury tested positive for cocaine after co-workers noticed he was having trouble walking and had slurred speech at his clinic in October 2017.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE NOTICE

WSOC reported in December that Christenbury voluntarily surrendered his medical license.

The day before he surrendered his license, the state Medical Board learned the doctor had tested positive for cocaine.

READ MORE: Prominent Charlotte eye doctor surrenders medical license

Former patient Cathy Goodman said she never had any issues with Christenbury.

“Very professional,” Goodman said. “Very cordial. It was good.”

But getting her records after he surrendered his license was difficult for her.

“Getting my records was a nightmare,” she said. “There's no way of putting it.”

A former client blames him for leaving her blind in one eye and has filed a lawsuit. The 71-year-old woman claimed cataract surgery ended with her being blind in one eye.

Christenbury also faces sexual harassment allegations.

READ MORE: Prominent Charlotte eye doctor ‘maintains a sexually hostile work environment,' lawsuit says

The notice says Christenbury “engaged in a patter and practice of targeting certain female staff members for sexual harassment."

READ MORE: More accusations of sexual harassment surface against Charlotte eye doctor

Christenbury is ordered to appear before the medical board in June for a hearing on the allegations.

Cox Media Group