PORTLAND, MAINE – Dr. Joel A. Sabean, 69, of Falmouth, Maine, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced today to two years behind bars and three years of supervised release. The sentence, handed down by Judge George Z. Singal in U.S. District Court, stems from a conviction on charges of tax evasion, illegal drug distribution, and a brazen healthcare fraud scheme.
Acting United States Attorney Richard W. Murphy announced the sentencing, detailing a calculated effort by Sabean to defraud both the government and his insurance company. The jury found Sabean guilty following a two-week trial that concluded November 18, 2016. He was also ordered to pay $5,311 in restitution, and to file corrected tax returns to address outstanding tax obligations.
Court records paint a picture of a doctor willing to exploit his position for personal gain. Between January 2008 and December 2013, Sabean funneled over $2.3 million to a relative residing in Florida. That relative, in turn, fabricated medical bills, which Sabean then used to falsely claim approximately $3 million in medical expenses on his income tax returns for the years 2008 through 2012. It was a classic, if audacious, scheme – create the illusion of legitimate expenses to slash his tax bill.
But the tax evasion wasn’t Sabean’s only offense. From 2007 through 2014, he wrote invalid prescriptions for controlled and non-controlled drugs in the name of his relative and others. These prescriptions were then submitted to his insurance company for reimbursement, despite the fact that the relative was a close family member, not a legitimate patient, and had not undergone any medical examination. The insurance company did not cover the relative’s prescriptions, adding another layer of deceit to the operation.
The investigation, led by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Portsmouth (NH) Tactical Diversion Squad, uncovered the full scope of Sabean’s criminal activity. The DEA’s involvement highlights the link between prescription fraud and the broader issue of drug abuse, and the lengths to which individuals will go to obtain and profit from illegal substances.
Assistant United States Attorneys James W. Chapman, Jr., and David B. Joyce handled the prosecution. While two years is the sentence, the damage to Sabean’s reputation and career is likely irreversible. This case serves as a stark reminder that even those in positions of trust are not above the law, and that financial crimes, coupled with drug offenses, carry serious consequences. Contact: David B. Joyce, (207) 780-3257.
Related Federal Cases
- Falmouth Doctor Joel A. Sabean Convicted in $3M Tax, Drug Scheme · Maine
- Tax Cheat Gets Pinched: York Man Pleads Guilty to Evasion · Pennsylvania
- Amgen Pays $71M for Pushing Drugs Off-Label · Washington
- Florida Man Sentenced to 3½ Years for Credit Card Fraud · New Hampshire
- 23andMe Faces Legal Fire for Genetic Data Sale · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Drug Trafficking|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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