Hau T. La, Unlawful Distribution of Opioids, Tennessee 2023
Nashville, Tennessee - A federal jury convicted a Smyrna physician yesterday of unlawfully distributing opioids from his Smyrna clinic.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Hau T. La, 54, of Brentwood, owned and operated Absolute Medical Care (AMC), which closed in the Spring of 2021. At AMC, La purportedly provided addiction treatment as his primary practice, but nevertheless prescribed opioid pain pills to some of his patients despite red flags for addiction and abuse. AMC, which did not accept health insurance, charged patients $200-$350 cash, credit, or debit, per visit and was only open on Fridays. La rarely spent more than a few minutes with the patients to whom he provided unlawful opioid prescriptions.
La was convicted of 12 counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. The jury acquitted him of four counts.
La faces a maximum of 20 years in prison on each count. Sentencing is scheduled for January 5, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Mark H. Wildasin, Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Douglas Korneski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Memphis Field Office, Special Agent in Charge J. Todd Scott of the Drug Enforcement Administration Louisville Field Division, Director David Rausch of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles of the Department of Health and Human Service Office of the Inspector General Atlanta Region made the announcement.
The FBI, HHS-OIG, TBI, and DEA investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Leslie Fisher and Emily Petro of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
La’s actions not only harmed his patients but also fueled the opioid epidemic that has ravaged our country. The conviction sends a strong message that those who engage in such egregious behavior will be held accountable.
The charges against La are as follows: unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.
Defendant: Hau T. La
Criminal Charges: 12 counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose
City and State: Nashville, Tennessee
Exact Date: January 5, 2023
Sentence or Outcome: faces a maximum of 20 years in prison on each count
Dollar Amounts: $200-$350 per visit
Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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