With the opioid crisis rapidly gaining steam, we are starting to see some of the legal ramifications from the overprescribing of opioids. Recently, two doctors and their business partner were indicted in federal court for allegations that they were illegally distributing drugs.
George P. Naum, a physician from Wheeling, WV; Felix Brizuela, Jr., a physician from Harrison City, Pennsylvania; and their business partner Eric Drake from Weirton, West Virginia were the three men indicted.
Dr. Brizuela was indicted on 21 counts of distribution of controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice; one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice, and 15 counts of illegal remuneration in violation of the federal anti-kickback statute.
Dr. Naum was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice, and 10 counts of aiding and abetting the distribution of controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice.
Mr. Drake was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice; 10 counts of aiding and abetting the distribution of controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice; one count of distribution of a controlled substance, and one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises.
According to United States Attorney Bill Powell, the three conspired to illegally distribute controlled substances from the Advance Healthcare, Inc. Drug treatment center in Weirton from 2008 to 2016. Further alleged by Powell, Dr. Brizuela distributed oxycodone, oxymorphone, fentanyl, and other drugs unlawfully in Monongalia County from 2013 to 2015.
Brizuela faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the distribution counts, up to 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000 for the conspiracy charge, and up to five years and a fine of up to $250,000 for the kickback charge.
Naum faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the distribution and conspiracy charges.
Drake faces up to 10 years in jail and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the distribution and conspiracy charges, and up to 20 years in jail and a fine of up to $500,000 for the maintaining a drug premises charge.
This action speaks volumes to the fact that the federal government is likely to start cracking down on opioid distributors in an effort to rein in the opioid epidemic.