A Pittsburgh, PA resident has pleaded guilty to charges of unlawfully distributing controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and health care fraud.
Madhu Aggarwal, 68, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab on November 28, 2018.
Aggarwal, a physician practicing at Redirections Treatment Advocates, a Suboxone clinic in Washington, PA, conspired with others to create and submit unlawful prescriptions for buprenorphine, known as Subutex and Suboxone, and then unlawfully dispensed those controlled substances to other persons.
Aggarwal is also charged with health care fraud for allegedly causing fraudulent claims to be submitted to Medicare for payments to cover the costs of the unlawfully prescribed buprenorphine.
The law provides for a total per count sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $500,000.00, or both, for the controlled substances offenses. Aggarwal faces an additional maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and fine of $250,000.00 for the health care fraud charge.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued Aggarwal on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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