DETROIT – In a stunning turn of events, two Michigan doctors, Rommel Harvey, and Gregory Sparks have been joined by their alleged co-conspirators in a $7 million illegal opioid distribution conspiracy. U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., has announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Dr. Shakeeb Chinoy and Dr. Sunil Manjila-Varghese with orchestrating this scheme.
The indicted doctors, aged 55 and 53 respectively, are accused of conspiring with Harvey, 43, and Sparks, 42, to issue thousands of opioid prescriptions from November 2023 through June 2025. These drugs included Oxycodone, Percocet, Norco, Oxymorphone, and Promethazine with Codeine – highly addictive opioids with a significant street value.
The indictment claims that the doctors issued more than 400,000 dosage units of Schedule II opioids, which have an estimated street value exceeding $7 million. They also defrauded Medicare and Medicaid programs for over $1 million through medically unnecessary prescription drugs and maintenance medications.
‘Doctors take an oath to do no harm and to care for others. These doctors and professionals broke that oath to fill their pockets,’ Gorgon stated, calling them ‘drug dealers in white coats.’ The FBI’s Reuben Coleman echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the unyielding efforts to investigate and disrupt those who violate federal law.
Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto of HHS-OIG reinforced the commitment to investigate and bring to justice those who choose greed over patient care. Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew J. Lievense and Darrin Crawford will be handling this case, which is part of the Opioid Fraud Abuse and Detection Unit initiative.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the FBI and HHS-OIG special agents and task force officers. An indictment is only a charge and does not prove guilt; each defendant is entitled to a fair trial where the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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