Doctor Sentenced to Prison for Role in Oxycodone Distribution Scheme

A Detroit-area doctor was sentenced to 60 months in prison for his role in a scheme to unlawfully distribute more than 23,000 pills of oxycodone. Alex Kafi, 70, of West Bloomfield, Michigan, pleaded guilty in August 2018 to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Kafi accepted cash in exchange for writing medically unnecessary prescriptions for addictive opioids as part of a scheme that flooded Michigan with thousands of doses of oxycodone. ‘Betraying his duties as a licensed physician, Alex Kafi accepted cash in exchange for writing medically unnecessary prescriptions for addictive opioids as part of a scheme that flooded Michigan with thousands of doses of oxycodone,’ said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski.

As part of his guilty plea, Kafi admitted that from 2013 through May 2017, he engaged in a scheme in which he wrote medically unnecessary prescriptions for oxycodone in exchange for cash. Kafi wrote these fraudulent prescriptions often without ever meeting or communicating with the patient. Instead, Kafi conspired with patient recruiters who provided him with lists of patients, along with $300 per prescription of oxycodone, he admitted.

‘Today’s opioid epidemic is fueled, in part, by the greed of certain doctors who knowingly prescribe legitimate pain medications to individuals for no legitimate medical purpose,’ said U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider. ‘Dr. Kafi’s actions contributed to Michigan’s opioid crisis for the sole purpose of lining his pockets. We will continue to use every means available to investigate and prosecute these cases.’

Kafi’s co-defendant Danielle Smith was sentenced by Judge Victoria A. Roberts to serve 32 months in prison on Feb. 7. Additional co-defendant Cheryl Ozoh awaits sentencing.

Kafi agreed to forfeit $617,208.00, representing proceeds of his criminal activity. The 60-month prison sentence was handed down by Judge Roberts of the Eastern District of Michigan. The scheme involved approximately 693,000 mg of oxycodone.

‘Ensuring the appropriate prescribing of opioid medications is essential to protect the health and safety of patients,’ said Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Chicago Regional Office. ‘When physicians act recklessly and in furtherance of their own greed, they only exacerbate the opioid epidemic.’

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