14 DAY TRIAL // A total of 44 individuals have been charged for their role in a healthcare fraud and drug distribution scheme involving substances such as Opana, OxyContin, Vicodin and others.
32 of the suspects have been charged with healthcare fraud, 3 of them have been charged with money laundering and another 3 with being felons in possession of firearms.
According to a US Department of Justice press release, four of the suspects, owners of health agencies, provided bribes and other illegal benefits to physicians in exchange for prescriptions for patients with private insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare.
These patients were bribed by recruiters to allow pharmacies and physicians to bill their insurance without them receiving any services or medication.
In addition, prosecutors say the healthcare agency owners, the pharmacies and physicians participated in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances in an attempt to facilitate the submission of false claims to the insurers.
“The merger of health care fraud and drug trafficking is a disturbing trend that is not only robbing taxpayers, but also fueling addictions to prescription drugs. Prescription drug abuse has become a national epidemic, with more Americans dying from overdoses than from gunshot wounds,” US Attorney Barbara McQuade noted.
“Confronting the illegal diversion and abuse of controlled pharmaceuticals is a top priority of DEA and our law enforcement partners,” Robert L. Corso, special agent in charge of DEA's Detroit field division, stated.
“The indictment alleges that this drug distribution organization includes members of the medical profession who abused their positions of trust and endangered the lives of countless people for pure profit,” Corso added.
“This was done by illegally distributing opiate painkillers and other controlled prescription medications throughout southeast Michigan and stretching to the southern reaches of Ohio.”