⏱ 2 min read
Ramon Aquino, a 77-year-old doctor from Clarksville, Tennessee, has been charged with health care fraud for prescribing over 1.08 million controlled substance pills to patients without a legitimate medical purpose. The scheme, which lasted for more than five years, resulted in losses of approximately $335,621 to health care benefit programs. Aquino owned and operated North Clarksville Medical Center, where he allegedly issued excessive and inappropriate quantities of controlled substances, contributing to patient abuse, misuse, and addiction.
Aquino’s conduct was deemed medically unnecessary and outside the usual course of professional practice. He failed to adequately monitor his patients’ use and abuse of prescribed controlled substances, even after receiving warnings regarding his prescribing practices. The investigation into Aquino’s actions was led by the US Attorney’s office, in collaboration with law enforcement partners.
The charges against Aquino highlight the ongoing issue of health care fraud and controlled substance abuse in the US. As US Attorney Braden H. Boucek stated, ‘Medical professionals occupy positions of extraordinary trust and responsibility. When that trust is abused through the unlawful prescribing of controlled substances, patients can suffer serious harm, addiction can flourish, and taxpayer-funded health care programs can be defrauded.’
Aquino’s case serves as a reminder of the importance of holding medical professionals accountable for their actions and the need for continued efforts to combat health care fraud and controlled substance abuse. The US Attorney’s office will continue working with law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who contribute to prescription drug abuse and health care fraud.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Tennessee
- Location: TN
- Source: DOJ Press Release
