The three men - attorney Howard Stern and doctors Sandeep Kapoor and Khristine Eroshevich – were each charged with one count of conspiracy, according to the LA County District Attorney's Office. There were also other charges of unlawfully prescribing opiates and other controlled substances.

 

The former Playboy playmate died in Hollywood, Florida, on February 8 2007 from an overdose. She was 39. The investigation into her death ruled that it was accidental. 

 

According to prosecutors, the three men were providing Smith with thousands of prescription drugs. The medicines found in the Florida hotel room where Smith was found dead were also provided by her boyfriend who was getting them from the two doctors, said prosecutors. 

 

The three gave Smith prescription pills "often for no legitimate medical purpose," said California Attorney General Jerry Brown. He underlined that there is conclusive evidence that the two doctors “violated their ethical obligations as physicians” and Mr. Stern provided highly addictive drugs to the former Playboy playmate. 

 

The doctors were providing the drugs to Mr Stern and he was giving them to Ms Smith, the prosecutors said. 

 

Ana Nicole Smith’s death was followed by a legal battle for the custody of her baby daughter. The battle was won by the playmate’s photographer (Larry Birkhead), who proved to be the genetic father of the girl after DNA tests were performed. 

 

The investigation was the result of a partnership between the District Attorney's Office, the state Attorney General's Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the California Medical Board and state Department of Insurance, Reuters reported.