AKRON, OH – A callous Akron physician knowingly fueled the opioid epidemic, pumping hundreds of thousands of doses of painkillers onto the streets with utter disregard for human life. Adolph Harper, Jr., 64, admitted in federal court today to conspiracy to traffic drugs, four counts of health care fraud, and a staggering 16 counts of drug trafficking. He’s set to be sentenced January 27th, and faces a substantial prison term for his crimes.
Harper wasn’t alone in this deadly enterprise. Patricia Laughman, 52, of Barberton, Ohio, and Adria Harper, 35, of Akron, also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to traffic drugs and 14 and 25 counts of drug trafficking, respectively. Tequilla Berry, 35, of Akron, previously confessed to one count of conspiracy to traffic drugs and seven counts of drug trafficking earlier this year. The quartet operated between 2009 and 2012, distributing Oxycontin, Percocet, Roxicet, Opana, and other highly addictive substances from Harper’s Akron medical offices.
“Doctor Harper is simply a drug dealer who happened to wear a white coat and worked from a medical office instead of a street corner,” thundered Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. “His actions destroyed lives and families.” The prosecution alleges Harper routinely prescribed addictive medications without legitimate medical examination, often without even seeing patients. Even more damning, the court documents reveal Harper continued to write prescriptions after learning some recipients had succumbed to fatal overdoses.
The scheme extended beyond simple prescriptions. Adria Harper, Laughman, and Berry exploited Harper’s authority, filling prescriptions when he was absent and illegally obtaining painkillers for themselves using his prescription pad. Harper also engaged in brazen health care fraud, submitting inflated insurance claims, billing for services never rendered, and double-billing – collecting cash payments while simultaneously filing insurance claims. These actions represent a systematic and calculated abuse of the healthcare system for personal gain.
Steven D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland office, delivered a stark warning: “Just because you have a prescription pad does not give you a license to deal drugs. Not only did this doctor violate the physician’s oath but he also allowed others in his office to abuse his medical privileges.” The investigation, a collaborative effort between the FBI, Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy, and the Akron Police Department, paints a picture of widespread corruption and a blatant disregard for public safety.
Assistant United States Attorneys Margaret A. Sweeney, Edward F. Feran, and Rebecca C. Lutzko are prosecuting the case. The sentencing of Adolph Harper, Jr., and his accomplices will likely send a message – however belated – that profiting from addiction carries severe consequences. But for the families shattered by this scheme, the damage is already done. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing and any further developments.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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