A federal judge yesterday refused to vacate the prison sentence of an Oakmont doctor convicted of providing pain medication to patients in exchange for sex.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gary L. Lancaster wrote a 12-page opinion denying the request from Bernard Rottschaefer.

He was ordered to serve five years in prison after his conviction. Prosecutors said Mr. Rottschaefer provided oxycodone and other pain medications to several women in exchange for sexual favors.

This spring, Mr. Rottschaefer filed a motion saying the sentence should be set aside because he had ineffective counsel.

Among Dr. Rottschaefer's claims was that his attorneys should have found a doctor to testify on his behalf. But Judge Lancaster wrote that the lawyers tried and failed to find an expert, and that does not meet the threshold of ineffective assistance.

Mr. Rottschaefer has lost a number of appeals in the case. He began serving his prison term in April 2007.

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