A New Jersey doctor has been brought to justice for her role in a scheme to distribute addictive opioids without proper patient assessments.
Felicia E. Gonzalez, 65, of Toms River, was sentenced to two years in prison and barred from practicing medicine for unlawfully distributing oxycodone, a highly addictive opioid.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Gonzalez prescribed oxycodone to three patients without conducting any physical examinations, developing treatment plans, or assessing the patients for drug dependence.
Gonzalez previously received national bans from two large pharmacy chains related to her prescribing practices but continued to prescribe addictive opioids without performing the minimum assessments required by state safety regulations.
To conceal her unlawful prescribing, Gonzalez falsified her medical records by falsely claiming to have performed examinations when she had not.
The investigation into Gonzalez’s activities was a joint effort between the FBI, DEA, and HHS-OIG.
Trial Attorneys Paul J. Koob and Nicholas K. Peone of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.
The FBI, DEA, and HHS-OIG investigated the case, and Trial Attorneys Paul J. Koob and Nicholas K. Peone of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.
The Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, which is led by the Fraud Section, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion since March 2007.
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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