Orthopedic Surgeon Faces Drug-Conspiracy Charge
Orthopedic Surgeon Faces Drug-Conspiracy Charge
New Jersey doctor did not conduct physical exams or even see some patients before prescribing hydrochloride, morphine sulfate, and methadone hydrochloride.
The Department of Justice, together with federal and state law enforcement partners, announced criminal charges against 14 defendants in eight federal districts across the United States for their alleged involvement in crimes related to the unlawful distribution of opioids. Twelve of the defendants were medical professionals at the time of these alleged offenses.
A New Jersey orthopedic surgeon was charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances. The surgeon and owner of a medical practice in Sicklerville, New Jersey, allegedly issued prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances to patients without assessing them in person or by telemedicine. The complaint also alleges the surgeon falsified patient files to suggest he interacted with a patient on occasions when he, in fact, did not. According to the complaint, the surgeon issued prescriptions that resulted in over 179,000 pills containing oxycodone hydrochloride, morphine sulfate, and methadone hydrochloride being dispensed by New Jersey pharmacies between April 27, 2020, and December 20, 2021.
Approximate date(s) of the diversion:
4/27/2020
Where the Diversion Occurred:
Cross Keys Medical Dental Center
600 Berlin - Cross Keys Rd, Sicklerville, NJ 08081, USA
Type of Healthcare Facility:
Ambulatory Surgical Center
Has the incident been reported?
e.g. to local law enforcement, county board of health, state licensure board, and/or federal DEA or FDA authorities?
Yes
To whom has the incident been reported?
Local Law Enforcement
