Connecticut Doctor Pleads Guilty to Narcotics Distribution, Health Care FraudTop Stories

June 27, 2018 04:34
Connecticut Doctor Pleads Guilty to Narcotics Distribution, Health Care Fraud

(Image source from: STL News)

An Indian-origin Connecticut physician pleaded guilty on Monday to charges of federal narcotics distribution and health care fraud.

The 71-year-old Bharat Patel of Milford entered his plea in the United States District Court in New Haven, according to U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut John H. Durham, and Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of New England Brian D. Boyle.  

According to Durham, Patel acknowledged that he prescribed hundreds of medically unneeded medicinal drug oxycodone and hydrocodone, and accordingly received nearly $159,000.

"The investigation revealed that this defendant profited by prescribing highly addictive painkillers to individuals who were either addicted to opioids or who turned around and illegally distributed the pills they received," Durham said.

"As a result of his criminal conduct, tens of thousands of pills were dispensed to individuals who didn’t need them and shouldn't have them," he added.

According to judicature records and statements made in the tribunal, from 2011 to July 2017, Patel was a doctor operating out of Family Health Urgent Care, which is formerly known as Immediate Health Care, at 235 Main St. in Norwalk.

The DEA's Boyle said, "The actions by Dr. Patel contributed to the widespread abuse of opiates, which is a gateway to heroin addiction and is devastating our communities."

According to Durham's office, Patel wrote prescriptions to patients who paid him $100 in cash for each prescription. At times, Patel rendered patients medically unneeded prescriptions for oxycodone or hydrocodone, which he left at a liquor store next door to his practice. Patients allegedly retrieved the prescriptions by exchanging an envelope with cash in it for the prescriptions.

Patel has been charged with one count of conspiracy to dispense oxycodone and hydrocodone, an offensive activity that carries a term of the captivity of 20 years, and one count health care fraud, an offensive activity that carries a term of the captivity of 10 years, he likewise agreed to forfeit $158,523.95 to the government.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 12.

By Sowmya Sangam

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