Name:

ABBEY, Julian A., MD

City, State:

Saugus, MA

Date of Arrest:

10/28/2005

Date of Conviction:

Judicial Status:

Trial Pending

Conviction:

DEA Registration:

Retired

Remarks:

Julian A. Abbey, MD, age 47, of Saugus, MA, was arrested on October 28, 2005 and charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Abbey is currently awaiting trial.

x

Name:

AHLES, Peter, MD

City, State:

Anaheim, CA

Date of Arrest:

06/14/2005

Date of Conviction:

10/05/2006

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Dispensing a controlled substance outside the scope of professional practice

DEA Registration:

Retired

Remarks:

Peter Ahles, MD, age 67, of Anaheim, CA, pled guilty in United States District Court to one count of dispensing hydrocodone, a controlled substance, outside the scope of professional practice with no legitimate medical purpose. According to court documents, Ahles dispensed 500 units of hydrocodone to confidential informants in exchange for $500.

Ahles was placed on home detention for a period of six months and sentenced to three years probation.

Name:

ALEXANDERIAN, Harry, MD

City, State:

West Pittston, PA

Date of Arrest:

10/4/2004

Date of Conviction:

5/24/2005

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Dispensing controlled substances with no legitimate medical purpose

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 3/30/2004

Remarks:

Harry Alexanderian, MD, age 80, of West Pittston, PA, pled guilty in state court to dispensing controlled substances outside of the scope of professional practice with no legitimate medical purpose. He also pled guilty to Medicaid fraud and unlicensed treatment of drug addiction. He was sentenced to six months house arrest, to be followed by two years probation.

Name:

ARMASHI, A. Hussam, MD

City, State:

Spring Hill, FL

Date of Arrest:

02/22/2005

Date of Conviction:

Judicial Status:

Outstanding arrest warrant for sexual battery on person incapacitated; battery

Conviction:

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 09/08/2006

Remarks:

Hussam Armashi, MD, age 60, was charged with intentionally administering a narcotic, anesthetic, or intoxicating substance to a female patient who was under his care that resulted in the patient’s mental or physical incapacitation, and then attempting to engage the patient in sexual activity without her consent and causing her injury.

There continues to be an active, outstanding arrest warrant for Armashi in Hernando County, FL. Anyone who has information pertaining to Dr. Armashi’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the nearest Drug Enforcement Administration office or the Hernando County (Florida) Police Department.

Name:

ASTIN, Phil III, MD

City, State:

Carrollton, GA

Date of Arrest:

07/02/2007

Date of Conviction:

Judicial Status:

Indicted 07/02/2007

Conviction:

DEA Registration:

Retired 07/09/2007

Remarks:

Phil Astin III, MD, age 52, of Carrollton, GA, was indicted by a federal Grand Jury in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on seven counts of distribution of controlled substances.

According to the indictment, Astin distributed and dispensed a quantity of controlled substances for other than a legitimate medical purpose and not in the usual course of professional practice. The controlled substances included Schedule II pharmaceuticals Percocet and Adderall; Schedule III pharmaceuticals Vicoprofen and Lorcet; and the Schedule IV pharmaceutical Xanax.

Astin’s case is pending adjudication. The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial and the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Name:

BAJWA, Jatinder, MD

City, State:

Springdale, PA

Date of Arrest:

3/17/2005

Date of Conviction:

9/26/2006

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Obtaining a Schedule II controlled substance by fraud; Insurance fraud

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 3/11/2005

Remarks:

Jatinder Bajwa, MD, age 57, of Springdale, PA, pled guilty on September 26, 2006, in state court to obtaining OxyContin, a Schedule II controlled substance, by fraud and insurance fraud. He was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay restitution to insurance providers in the amount of $6,502.02.

Name:

BARNETT, Randy, MD

City, State:

Philadelphia, PA

Date of Arrest:

01/12/2005 (formal arrest processing delayed until sentencing date)

Date of Conviction:

10/12/2004

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Illegal sale of prescription drug samples

DEA Registration:

Active

Remarks:

Randy Barnett, MD, age 42, of Philadelphia, PA, pled guilty to one count of illegal sale of prescription drug samples.

According to court records, Barnett delivered thousands of non-controlled prescription drug samples to a pharmacist who, in turn, placed the drug samples into inventory and sold them to patients. The patient’s insurers reimbursed the pharmacist for the drug samples. Barnett was paid approximately $10,000 by the pharmacist for the drug samples.

Barnett was sentenced to in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to 24 months probation and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

Name:

BARON, David M., MD

City, State:

Pueblo, CO

Date of Arrest:

02/13/2007

Date of Conviction:

01/23/2008

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Conspiracy to distribute pharmaceutical controlled substances

DEA Registration:

Under Suspension

Remarks:

David M. Baron, MD, age 61, of Pueblo, CO, pled guilty in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, to conspiracy to distribute pharmaceutical controlled substances. According to court documents, Baron was involved with the illegal distribution of Schedule III and Schedule IV controlled pharmaceuticals via the Internet. Baron was paid to review online customer questionnaires and authorize the filling of customer orders for controlled substances. There was no contact between the physician and the customer and therefore no established physician/patient relationship which is required for a valid prescription.

Baron was sentenced to 25 months in federal prison followed by supervised release for a term of three (3) years, and ordered to pay an assessment of $100. An appeal has been filed and further judicial action is pending.

Name:

BARRERA, Carlos Manuel, MD

City, State:

Miami, FL

Date of Arrest:

01/20/2006

Date of Conviction:

04/20/2006

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; conspiracy to launder money

DEA Registration:

Retired 02/17/2006

Remarks:

Carlos M. Barrera, MD, age 57, of Miami, FL, pled guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute Schedule III and Schedule IV controlled substances, and one count of conspiracy to launder money. According to court documents, between August and October of 2003 in the Northern District of Iowa, Barrera unlawfully dispensed thousands of dosage units of controlled substances by means of electronic prescriptions outside the usual course of medical practice and without legitimate medical purpose.

Barrera was sentenced to probation for a term of three (3) years with the first six months in home detention and ordered to pay a fine of $10,000 and a special assessment of $200.00. Barrera also forfeited $10,897.50.

Name:

BATES, Jeffrey Kent, MD

City, State:

South Charleston, WV

Date of Arrest:

08/31/2006

Date of Conviction:

08/31/2006

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Obtaining controlled substance by fraud

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 05/04/2006

Remarks:

Jeffrey Kent Bates, MD, age 42, of South Charleston, WV, pled guilty in federal court to one count of obtaining controlled substance by fraud. According to court documents, from August 2005 and continuing until April 2006, Dr. Bates, knowingly and intentionally acquired and obtained possession of hydrocodone, a schedule III controlled substance, by deception and subterfuge. He was sentenced to three months in prison, one year supervised release, and fined $5000.00.

Name:

BATTLE, Frederick, MD

City, State:

Michigan City, IN

Date of Arrest:

04/12/2004

Date of Conviction:

10/22/2004

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Unlawful dispensing of a Schedule II controlled substance

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 03/26/2004

Remarks:

Frederick Battle, MD, age 72, of Michigan City, IN, pled guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of unlawful dispensing of a Schedule II controlled substance. According to court documents, Battle prescribed OxyContin, a Schedule II controlled substance, outside the scope of professional practice to an individual working with law enforcement.

Battle was sentenced to one year probation and ordered to pay an assessment of $100.

Name:

BEK, Jong H., MD

City, State:

Gary, IN

Date of Arrest:

08/23/2003

Date of Conviction:

05/27/2005

Judicial Status:

Jury Conviction

Conviction:

Illegal distribution, conspiracy to distribute, aiding and abetting

DEA Registration:

Revoked 02/09/2004

Remarks:

Jong H. Bek, MD, of Gary, IN, was convicted on 26 of 27 counts for Illegal distribution, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and aiding and abetting. He was sentenced to 41 months in prison followed by 2 years supervised release. Further judicial action may follow.

Name:

BETHENCOURT, Megaly S., MD

City, State:

Miami, FL

Date of Arrest:

03/22/2005

Date of Conviction:

04/04/2006

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Conspiracy to distribute Schedule III and IV controlled substances

DEA Registration:

Surrendered on 12/16/2005

Remarks:

Megaly S. Bethencourt, MD, age 56, of Miami, FL, pled guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute Schedule III and IV controlled substance. According to court records, between October 2003 and November 2003, Bethencourt authorized at least 6,060 dosage units of Schedule III and IV controlled substances via the internet. Said prescriptions were not issued for a legitimate medical purpose and not in the usual course of a practitioner’s professional practice.

Bethencourt was sentenced to two years probation, six months home detention, and ordered to forfeit $7,710.00.

Name:

BILYEU, Stuart W., DO

City, State:

Southfield, MI

Date of Arrest:

07/20/2005

Date of Conviction:

04/12/2006

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance

DEA Registration:

Expired 07/31/2006

Remarks:

Stuart W. Bilyeu, DO, age 46, of Southfield, MI, pled guilty to the unlawful distribution of hydrocodone, a Schedule III controlled substance. According to court records, the defendant admitted that he prescribed without medical necessity or justification quantities of controlled substances to patients. For example, in October, 2004, the defendant wrote a prescription for #120 Vicodin to an individual, without any good faith attempt to determine the legitimate medical needs of the patient. From January 2003 until May 10, 2005, Bilyeu prescribed without medical necessity or justification 100 dosage units of oxycodone 80mg; 100 dosage units of Dilaudid, 20,000 Schedule III drugs, and 40, 000 Schedule IV drugs.

Bilyeu was sentenced to five years imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.

Name:

BISCHOFF, James, MD

City, State:

Ennis, MT

Date of Arrest:

08/30/2004

Date of Conviction:

09/20/2006

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Negligent homicide; fraudulently obtaining dangerous drugs; robbery with a weapon

DEA Registration:

Revoked 04/14/2005

Remarks:

James Bischoff, MD, age 48, of Ennis, Montana, pled guilty in state court to negligent homicide and was sentenced to ten years imprisonment with five years suspended. He also pled guilty to two counts of fraudulently obtaining dangerous drugs and was sentenced to six years imprisonment on those counts, to be served concurrently.

Name:

BRAUN, Robert Z, MD

City, State:

West Hills, CA

Date of Arrest:

10/19/2005

Date of Conviction:

03/05/2007

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances

DEA Registration:

Retired 11/18/2005

Remarks:

Robert Z. Braun, MD, age 56, of West Hills, CA, pled guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, Braun’s license to practice medicine and prescribe controlled substances was revoked by the Medical Board of California in March 2005. Subsequent to that date and up to August 2005, Braun conspired with others to unlawfully distribute and dispense oxycodone, methadone, morphine, and hydromorphone, all Schedule II controlled substances, hydrocodone, a Schedule III controlled substance, and lorazepam, a Schedule IV controlled substance.

Braun was sentenced to seventy (70) months in federal prison followed by probation for a term of three (3) years and ordered to pay a fine of $17,500 and an assessment of $100.00.

Name:

BREGAR, Frank, MD

City, State:

Pittsburgh, PA

Date of Arrest:

10/17/2005

Date of Conviction:

4/24/2006

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Insurance fraud; Felony Drug Act violation

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 6/8/2005

Remarks:

Frank Bregar, MD, age 52, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pled guilty in state court to one count of insurance fraud and a felony Drug Act violation. He was sentenced to 23 months intermediate punishment with the first three months on house arrest, followed by 20 months probation. He was also ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and pay a $5,000 fine.

Name:

BROWN, Michael R., MD

City, State:

Mashpee, MA

Date of Arrest:

08/22/2005

Date of Conviction:

07/20/2007

Judicial Status:

Jury Conviction

Conviction:

Distribution of a controlled substance; Medicaid fraud; possession; larceny

DEA Registration:

Retired 09/20/2005

Remarks:

Michael R. Brown, MD, age 52, of Mashpee, MA, was found guilty in Barnstable Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on seventeen counts of distribution of a controlled substance; ten counts of Medicaid fraud; one count of possession of a controlled substance; and one count of larceny. Brown has been sentenced to 2 ½ to 3 years in state prison followed by five years probation.

This case has been appealed to the Appeals Court of Massachusetts.

Name:

CASTELLANOS, Agustin M., MD

City, State:

Palm Beach Garden, FL

Date of Arrest:

02/22/2006

Date of Conviction:

07/25/2006

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Conspiracy to commit Health Care Fraud

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 05/29/2007

Remarks:

Agustin M. Castellanos, MD, age 51, of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, pled guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to commit Health Care Fraud.

According to court documents, Castellanos knowingly allowed a licensed pharmacist to use his name in submitting false and fraudulent prescription drug claims for Ketamine HCL and other prescription medications to private health insurance companies. In exchange for allowing the pharmacist to use his name, Castellanos received prescription drugs, including hydrocodone.

Castellanos was sentenced to thirty-six months imprisonment and three years supervised release.

Name:

CHENG, PAUL P., MD

City, State:

Enid, OK

Date of Arrest:

10/25/2006

Date of Conviction:

07/27/2007

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Knowingly and intentionally distributed a Schedule IV controlled substance

DEA Registration:

Active

Remarks:

Paul P. Cheng, MD, age 49, of Enid, OK, pled guilty in federal court to one count of knowingly and intentionally distributing a Schedule IV controlled substance. According to court documents, Cheng was an anesthesiologist licensed to practice in the State of Oklahoma. In February 2006, Cheng provided a prescription for alprazolam, a Schedule IV controlled substance, to an individual who was not one of his patients and with whom he did not have a doctor-patient relationship.

Cheng was sentenced to probation for a term of two (2) years, 104 hours of community service, and ordered to pay a fine of $17,500 and an assessment of $100.

Name:

CHUA, Noel N., MD

City, State:

Kingsland, GA

Date of Arrest:

09/13/2006

Date of Conviction:

10/20/2007

Judicial Status:

Jury Conviction

Conviction:

Felony Murder

DEA Registration:

Active Pending

Remarks:

Noel N. Chua, MD, age 46, of Kingsland, GA, was found guilty by a jury in the Superior Court of Camden County, State of Georgia, of violating the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, the result of which was the death of an individual. According to court documents, Chua prescribed or ordered multiple controlled substances for the victim, said prescriptions not being for legitimate medical purpose and said act not being in the usual course of Chua’s professional practice.

Chua was sentenced to life in prison.

Name:

CHUBE, Charles Randall, MD

City, State:

Gary, IN

Date of Arrest:

10/25/2004

Date of Conviction:

05/01/2006

Judicial Status:

Jury Conviction

Conviction:

Distribution of a controlled substance outside the scope of professional practice

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 05/27/2006

Remarks:

An investigation of Dr. Charles Randall Chube and his brother Dr. David Chube was initiated as a result of the arrest of the ringleader of an OxyContin trafficking organization in Michigan that revealed a pipeline of patients traveling from Michigan to Indiana to receive controlled substance prescriptions from the Chubes.

Charles Chube was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of distribution of a controlled substance outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. He was sentenced to be imprisoned for a term of 60 months followed by 2 years supervised release. An appeal may be filed.

Name:

CHUBE, David, MD

City, State:

Gary, IN

Date of Arrest:

10/25/2004

Date of Conviction:

05/01/2006

Judicial Status:

Jury Conviction

Conviction:

Distribution of a controlled substance outside the scope of professional practice; Healthcare fraud

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 05/27/2006

Remarks:

An investigation of David Chube, MD, and his brother Charles Randall Chube, MD, was initiated as a result of the arrest of the ringleader of an OxyContin trafficking organization in Michigan that revealed a pipeline of patients traveling from Michigan to Indiana to receive controlled substance prescriptions from the Chubes. Information was also received from friends and relatives of some of David Chube’s patients that he was prescribing controlled substances without a legitimate medical need.

David Chube was found guilty by a federal jury of four counts of distribution of a controlled substance outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose; and two counts of healthcare fraud. He was sentenced to be imprisoned for a term of 188 months followed by 3 years supervised release. An appeal may be filed.

Name:

CLARK, Cordell, MD

City, State:

Dallas, TX

Date of Arrest:

04/23/2003

Date of Conviction:

10/09/2003

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Fraudulent use of a controlled substance registration

DEA Registration:

Retired

Remarks:

Cordell Clark, MD, pleaded guilty in State Criminal Court in Texas to fraudulently using a DEA controlled substance registration that had previously been suspended to prescribe dihydrocodeine. He was sentenced to 10 years community supervision and ordered to pay a fine of $5,000.

Name:

CROUTHAMEL, Matthew R., MD

City, State:

Seattle, WA

Date of Arrest:

12/07/2007

Date of Conviction:

03/07/2008

Judicial Status:

Guilty Plea

Conviction:

Aiding and abetting unlawful acquisition of a controlled substance

DEA Registration:

Retired 12/07/2007

Remarks:

Matthew R. Crouthamel, MD, age 29, of Seattle, WA, pled guilty in federal court to one count of aiding and abetting unlawful acquisition of a controlled substance. According to court documents, Crouthamel provided blank prescription scripts to others, knowing that the scripts would be forged and used to unlawfully acquire oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Crouthamel was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay an assessment of $100.

Name:

CULLINS, Suzette, MD

City, State:

New Orleans, LA

Date of Arrest:

04/12/2005

Date of Conviction:

07/25/2006

Judicial Status:

Jury Conviction

Conviction:

Illegal dispensing of controlled substances

DEA Registration:

Suspended 04/15/2005

Remarks:

Suzette Cullins, MD, age 45, was found guilty by a federal jury on one count of conspiracy to illegally dispense controlled substances and five counts of illegally dispensing controlled substances. According to court documents, Cullins, a staff physician at three pain management clinics (Scherer’s Clinics), engaged in a sham operation in which individuals obtained controlled substance pharmaceuticals without regard for medical necessity.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Cullins and a co-defendant allowed the same individual patients to receive overlapping prescriptions from each of the three Scherer’s Clinics. In one instance, over a hundred day period, the same person received twenty prescriptions, each for a twelve to fourteen day supply of hydrocodone, Xanax and Soma.

Cullins was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release and ordered to pay an assessment of $600 and a fine of $7,500.

Name:

DARIAH, Gerald E., MD

City, State:

Albany, GA

Date of Arrest:

09/16/2004

Date of Conviction:

Judicial Status:

Trial Pending

Conviction:

DEA Registration:

Revoked 02/28/2007

Remarks:

Gerald E. Dariah, MD, age 50, of Albany, GA, was arrested on September 16, 2004 and charged with issuing a prescription signed in blank. On January 19, 2005, Dariah was indicted by the Superior Court of Dougherty County on sixty-seven counts of unlawfully attempting to issue medical prescription documents signed in blank. Trial scheduled for 2008.

Name:

DAYANANDA, Dewundara P., MD

City, State:

Waterford, MI

Date of Arrest:

10/15/2003

Date of Conviction:

07/26/2005

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Delivery / manufacture of controlled substances

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 11/04/2005

Remarks:

Dewundara P. Dayananda, MD, age 57, pled guilty in the State of Michigan 6^th Judicial Circuit to eight counts of illegal delivery / manufacture of a controlled substance. According to court documents, Dr. Dayananda prescribed Vicodin and OxyContin, controlled substances, for other than legitimate and professionally recognized therapeutic or scientific purposes or outside the scope of the practitioner’s practice.

Dayananda was sentenced to four years probation and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and court costs and fees.

Name:

DEHART, Gail E, MD

City, State:

Gouverneur, NY

Date of Arrest:

05/18/2005

Date of Conviction:

02/22/2006

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Criminal Sale of a Prescription for a controlled substance

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 10/06/2006

Remarks:

Gail E. Dehart, MD, age 54, of Gouverneur, NY, pled guilty to criminal sale of a prescription for a controlled substance.

According to court documents, between May 24, 2004 and September 14, 2004, Dehart did knowingly and unlawfully sell, or cause to be given, four separate prescriptions for Methadone, a Schedule II Controlled Substance. The prescriptions were provided to an individual in violation of federal and New York State law and regulations and were not provided in good faith in the course of Dehart’s professional medical practice.

Dehart was sentenced to five years probation.

Name:

DELOACH, Betty, MD

City, State:

Shreveport, LA

Date of Arrest:

04/12/2005

Date of Conviction:

04/17/2007

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Misprision (concealment) of a felony

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 04/12/2005

Remarks:

Betty DeLoach, MD, age 68, pled guilty in federal court to one count of misprision of a felony. According to court documents, DeLoach was employed by Advanced Pain Management at clinics located in Metairie, Slidell, and Gretna, LA. During her employment, DeLoach was aware of the clinics’ operations and practices including the issuance of controlled substance prescriptions without medical necessity or not in the course of usual medical practice and the scheduling and treatment of hundreds of patients per day, often seen by one doctor, and the clinics’ failure to comply with medical standards applicable to pain management.

Despite this knowledge, DeLoach failed to notify any authorities or to disclose the information in meetings with agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration.  DeLoach pled guilty to one count of concealing a felony and was sentenced to six months in federal prison followed by one year of supervised release and ordered to pay a fine of $5,000 and an assessment of $100.00.

Name:

DELP, William, DO

City, State:

Bethlehem, PA

Date of Arrest:

11/05/2003

Date of Conviction:

01/20/2005

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Conspiracy; illegal prescribing

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 01/23/2003

Remarks:

William Delp, DO, age 75, of Bethlehem, PA, pled guilty in state court to conspiracy and illegal prescribing of controlled substances. He was sentenced to 12-24 months incarceration followed by 24 months of probation and fined $5,000.

Between January 1999 and January 2003, Delp did knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully administer, dispense, deliver, and/or prescribe controlled substances outside the scope of a doctor/patient relationship. According to court documents, Delp did not act in good faith or in accordance with accepted treatment principles accepted by a responsible segment of the medical profession. Delp conspired with individuals with the intent of promoting or facilitating the commission of a crime of obtaining controlled substances by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation and subterfuge.

Name:

DEUNDARA, Patabendige S., MD

City, State:

Waterford, MI

Date of Arrest:

10/15/2003

Date of Conviction:

07/26/2005

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Delivery / manufacture of controlled substances

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 11/04/2005

Remarks:

Patabendige S. Deundara, MD, age 51, pled guilty in the State of Michigan 6^th Judicial Circuit to seven counts of illegal delivery / manufacture of a controlled substance. According to court documents, Dr. Deundara prescribed Vicodin and OxyContin, controlled substances, for other than legitimate and professionally recognized therapeutic or scientific purposes or outside the scope of the practitioner’s practice.

Deundara was sentenced to four years probation and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and court costs and fees.

Name:

DEWILDE, Steven B., DO

City, State:

St. Clair, MI

Date of Arrest:

11/25/2003

Date of Conviction:

04/26/2004

Judicial Status:

Pled No Contest

Conviction:

Illegal manufacturing and delivery of a prescription

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 06/15/2004

Remarks:

Steven B. DeWilde, DO, age 43, pled no contest in a State of Michigan Circuit Court to three counts of illegal manufacture and delivery of a prescription. DeWilde was sentenced to 12 months in jail, 60 months probation, and ordered to enter a drug treatment program.

Name:

DIAZ, Mario Alberto, MD

City, State:

Miami, FL

Date of Arrest:

03/23/2006

Date of Conviction:

03/23/2006

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule III and IV controlled substances and Conspiracy to Launder Money

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 05/20/2004

Remarks:

Mario Alberto Diaz, MD, age 55, of Miami, FL, pled guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute schedule III and IV controlled substances and one count of conspiracy to launder money. Between April 2003 and October 2003 Dr. Diaz authorized at least 53,125 dosage units of Schedule III controlled substances and 17,890 dosage units of Schedule IV controlled substances via the internet. Said prescriptions were not issued for a legitimate medical purpose and not in the usual course of a practitioner’s professional practice. Diaz was sentenced to 30 months in prison, two years supervised release, and ordered to forfeit $272,061.00.

Name:

DODGE, Jack, MD

City, State:

Mitchell, SD

Date of Arrest:

8/30/2005

Date of Conviction:

4/26/2006

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 12/16/2004

Remarks:

Jack Dodge, age 48, of Mitchell, SD, pled guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. According to court records, between June, 2003 and October, 2004, Dodge wrote multiple prescriptions for OxyContin for other individuals outside the scope of his legitimate doctor/patient relationship in return for receiving all or a portion of the prescription drugs back from the others.

Dodge was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment, to be followed by three years supervised release.

Name:

DOMINIQUE, Jean C., MD

City, State:

Tampa, FL

Date of Arrest:

05/05/2006

Date of Conviction:

05/05/2006

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Hydrocodone

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 08/05/2004

Remarks:

Jean C. Dominique, MD, age 59, of Tampa, FL, pled guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute hydrocodone.

According to court documents, after being hired by a pharmaceutical website, Dominique permitted various physician’s assistants to use his DEA registration number to authorize controlled substance prescriptions and refills. In some instances, Dominique never spoke with the on-line patients or received medical records confirming their reported condition. Dominique and the physician’s assistants would receive a commission for each prescription filled. In addition to the initial prescription, patients would automatically receive two or three refills for controlled substances.

Dominique was sentenced to five years probation, 300 hours of community service, and ordered to forfeit $380,507.

Name:

DUBRULE, Rosaire Michel, MD

City, State:

Tiptonville, TN

Date of Arrest:

08/22/2007

Date of Conviction:

Judicial Status:

Indicted 08/15/2007

Conviction:

DEA Registration:

Retired 06/13/2005

Remarks:

Rosaire Michel Dubrule, MD, age 59, of Tiptonville, TN, was indicted by a federal Grand Jury in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee on one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and 47 counts of distribution of controlled substances.

According to the indictment, Dubrule is a physician practicing medicine under the trade name "Reelfoot Family Medical Practice" in Tiptonville, TN. The indictment charged that Dubrule conspired to and unlawfully issued written prescriptions for Schedule II and Schedule III controlled substances outside the usual course of medical practice and for no legitimate medical purpose in violation of Title 21, USC § 846.

Dubrule’s case is pending adjudication. The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial and the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt..

Name:

DURFEY, John Q., MD

City, State:

Panama City, FL

Date of Arrest:

12/13/2006

Date of Conviction:

08/30/2007

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Health care fraud; illegal dispensing of controlled substances

DEA Registration:

Expired 06/30/2007

Remarks:

John Q. Durfey, MD, age 77, of Panama City, FL, pled guilty in federal court to six counts of health care fraud and six counts of illegally dispensing, and causing to be dispensed, controlled substances.

According to court documents, Dr. Durfey submitted claims for medical services and procedures that were not provided and were not medically necessary. By issuing prescriptions for controlled substances that were not based upon medical necessity, Durfey also caused pharmacies to obtain money from health care benefit programs by causing the pharmacies to file claims for filling prescriptions for controlled substances that were false and fraudulent in that the prescriptions were issued outside the usual course of professional practice, and for which Durfey lacked any documentation in patient files justifying the prescriptions, thus making the prescriptions not authorized for the pharmacies to obtain reimbursement. Durfey also knowingly and intentionally dispensed, and caused to be dispensed, quantities of oxycodone, methadone, diazepam, fentanyl, morphine, and hydrocodone without determining a sufficient medical necessity and outside the usual course of professional practice.

Durfey was sentenced to federal prison for a term of 240 months followed by three years of supervised probation. Durfey was also ordered to pay an assessment of $1,200.00 and to make restitution in the amount of $466,723.03 to Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Tricare, Medicaid and Medicare.

Name:

EATOUGH, Philip B., DO

City, State:

Middleton, NJ

Date of Arrest:

10/11/2007

Date of Conviction:

Judicial Status:

Indicted 10/04/2007

Conviction:

DEA Registration:

Active

Remarks:

Philip B. Eatough, DO, age 60, of Middleton, NJ, was indicted by a federal Grand Jury in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey on one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; one count of conspiracy to launder the proceeds of illegal drug transactions; and eight counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

According to the indictment, Eatough is a physician practicing as a specialist in internal medicine in Middletown, NJ, and Keansburg, NJ. The indictment charged that Eatough conspired to and unlawfully prescribed excessive amounts of controlled substances in return for payments from patients.

Eatough’s case is pending adjudication. Trial is scheduled for October 14, 2008. The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial and the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Name:

EICHER, Mary Jane, DO

City, State:

St. Petersburg, FL

Date of Arrest:

05/22/2006

Date of Conviction:

Judicial Status:

Trial Pending

Conviction:

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 05/22/2006

Remarks:

Mary Jane Eicher, age 71, of St. Petersburg, FL, was arrested on May 22, 2006, and charged with one count of violation of RICO, one count of trafficking in controlled substances, and two counts of unlicensed practice of Healthcare Profession. Dr. Eicher is currently awaiting trial.

Name:

FASWALA, Munir Hussain, MD

City, State:

Millville, NJ

Date of Arrest:

02/16/2005

Date of Conviction:

Judicial Status:

Trial Pending

Conviction:

DEA Registration:

Expired 09/30/2006

Remarks:

Munir Hussain Faswala, MD, age 50, of Millville, NJ was arrested by the Millville Police Department on February 16, 2005, and charged with four counts of illegal distribution of a controlled substance; three counts of transaction with property from criminal activities; and three counts of distribution of prescription drugs. On March 29, 2006, Faswala was indicted in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Cumberland County on four counts of Conspiracy to Obtain a Controlled Dangerous Substance by Fraud-Third Degree; and one count of Financial Facilitation-Second Degree. Faswala was scheduled to appear for a Pre-Arraignment Hearing on April 11, 2006, but failed to appear. A bench warrant was subsequently issued for his arrest.

Currently, Faswala is a fugitive. Anyone who has information pertaining to Faswala’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the nearest Drug Enforcement Administration office or the Millville Police Department.

Name:

FERNANDO, Samuel Cube, MD

City, State:

Justice, IL

Date of Arrest:

11/30/2006

Date of Conviction:

08/23/2007

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Delivery of a controlled substance

DEA Registration:

Retired 10/12/2006

Remarks:

Samuel Cube Fernando, MD, age 62, of Justice, IL, entered a voluntary plea of guilty in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, to one count of delivery of the controlled substance hydrocodone (50 grams or more but less than 200 grams), a Class 1 felony.

Fernando was sentenced to probation for a term of two years.

Name:

FISCHER, David V., MD

City, State:

New Carlisle, IN

Date of Arrest:

04/05/2004

Date of Conviction:

09/17/2004

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Illegal dispensing of a controlled substance

DEA Registration:

Surrendered 03/26/2004

Remarks:

David V. Fischer, MD, age 38, pled guilty in United States District Court to one count of illegal dispensing of a controlled substance. According to court documents, Fischer knowingly and intentionally dispensed a mixture and substance containing OxyContin to an undercover police officer without any legitimate medical need and outside the scope of professional practice.

Fischer was sentenced to 24 months in a federal prison followed by three years supervised probation.

Name:

FLETCHER, Christopher W., MD

City, State:

Nashville, TN

Date of Arrest:

09/19/2005

Date of Conviction:

09/19/2005

Judicial Status:

Pled Guilty

Conviction:

Causing a controlled substance to be dispensed without a written prescription

DEA Registration:

Expired 09/30/2003

Remarks:

Christopher W. Fletcher, MD, age 50, pled guilty to one count of causing a controlled substance to be dispensed without a written prescription. According to court documents, while employed as the Medical Director for the Corrections Corporation of America, Fletcher provided prescriptions to co-workers for hydrocodone and oxycodone, schedule II controlled substances. At the direction of Dr. Fletcher, his co-workers had the prescriptions filled at local pharmacies and then gave the controlled substances to Fletcher for his own use.

Fletcher was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

Name:

FRIEDES, Lawrence (Larry) M., MD

City, State:

St. Augustine, FL

Date of Arrest:

02/21/2007

Date of Conviction:

02/11/2008

Judicial Status:

Guilty Plea

Conviction:

Trafficking in hydrocodone; Writing a prescription for monetary benefit

DEA Registration:

Retired 02/23/2007

Remarks:

Lawrence (Larry) M. Friedes, MD, age 47, of St. Augustine, FL, pled guilty in the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court, St. Johns County, FL, to two counts of trafficking in hydrocodone (28 grams or more) and one count of writing a prescription for monetary benefit. According to court documents, Friedes knowingly and unlawfully sold an amount of hydrocodone consistent with trafficking to a confidential informant. The transaction was conducted in Friedes’ residence.

Friedes was sentenced to a term of ten years imprisonment followed by a period of ten years on probation / community control under the supervision of the Florida Department of Corrections. Friedes was also ordered to pay mandatory and discretionary costs of $6,473.