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Pharmacist Stacy Smoller asks California Board panel to end probation early, DAG urges continued monitoring
Summary
Stacy Alexis Smoller told the Board of Pharmacy's disciplinary petition committee she is remorseful after admitting to shoplifting and detailed therapy and safeguards; the deputy attorney general argued the board still needs workplace monitoring and opposed early termination. The committee took the matter under submission and will deliberate in closed session.
Stacy Alexis Smoller, the petitioner in agency case 7526 (OAH 2026050181), asked a disciplinary petition committee of the California State Board of Pharmacy on May 19 to terminate the remaining portion of her three-year probation so she can continue practicing while monitored in Illinois.
Smoller testified under oath that she shoplifted groceries and clothing from a Walmart in 2022 while pharmacist-in-charge at a store she had recently joined, a period she said was marked by postpartum depression and overwhelming personal stress. "I am extremely remorseful and take full responsibility for my selfish actions and the harm they caused," she told the committee. She said none of the stolen items were pharmacy medications and that she never stole drugs from any pharmacy where she worked.
Deputy Attorney General Nicole Trauma summarized the board's decision history and compliance record: Smoller's license was revoked effective Dec. 20, 2023, with revocation stayed and probation imposed; she has paid board costs of $3,500, completed an ethics course on Feb. 11, 2025, and submitted a 153-page petition packet marked as Exhibit 1. Trauma confirmed Smoller has been compliant with quarterly reporting and probation monitoring but flagged that Smoller has not completed the California work requirement of 80 hours per month because she relocated to Illinois in September 2024 and is being monitored there. Trauma said the People oppose early termination because the work requirement exists to allow the board to "monitor a probationer's practice to determine if they can perform the functions and duties of a pharmacist in a safe and competent manner."
Committee members pressed Smoller on specific points: Trauma asked whether Smoller had stolen more than $5,000 worth of merchandise, a figure Smoller said she believed might be overstated but acknowledged as the agreed-upon number in the record. The DAG also asked about a letter from a provider that described a kleptomania diagnosis; Smoller said she had not received a formal psychiatric diagnosis and did not believe kleptomania fit her situation, but she has remained in continuous therapy since November 2022.
Smoller asked the committee either to terminate probation early or, if that was not acceptable, to remove the work requirement so she could complete other terms of probation while being monitored in Illinois. Trauma said removing the work requirement or allowing continued tolling would deprive the board of the ability to evaluate Smoller's competence while working, which the DAG argued is essential to public protection.
The matter was submitted by agreement of both parties. ALJ Patrice Huber closed the record and said the committee would deliberate in closed session and issue a written decision at a later date.
The committee took no vote on the record; members moved to closed session for deliberation.
