Las Vegas, NV – Dr. Steven A. Holper, 66, a pain management doctor practicing in Las Vegas, was arrested today and charged with 29-counts of unlawful distribution of fentanyl and health care fraud, announced Attorney General Jeff Sessions, U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dan Neill, Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse, and Special Agent in Charge Christian J. Schrank.
The indictment alleged that Dr. Holper prescribed Subsys, a powerful synthetic opioid painkiller 100 times more potent than morphine and 40 to 60 times more potent than 100% pure heroin, to patients without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice.
From about November 21, 2013 through March 24, 2017, Dr. Holper knowingly made false statements to Medicare and private health insurance companies, falsely representing 22 patients as cancer patients with breakthrough cancer pain, who were opioid tolerant and eligible for Subsys.
‘Our great country has never before seen the levels of addiction and overdose deaths that we are suffering today,’ said Attorney General Sessions. ‘Sadly, some trusted medical professionals like doctors, nurses, and pharmacists have chosen to violate their oaths and exploit this crisis for cash—with devastating consequences.’
‘This indictment is another example of the U.S. Attorney’s Office commitment to hold doctors accountable when they violate federal laws designed to protect the health and safety of patients,’ said U.S. Attorney Elieson.
The charges against Dr. Holper include seven-counts of distribution of Fentanyl, a controlled substance, and 22-counts of providing a false statement relating to a health benefit program.
Key Facts
- State: Nevada
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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