Plea Deal in Opioid Epidemic
A former office manager for a licensed physician in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty to charges related to the opioid epidemic. Marcia Ramsier Arthurs, 62, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy to launder money, and theft of public money.
Arthurs conspired to distribute oxycodone, conspire to commit health care fraud, and conspire to launder money from March 26, 2015 to June 22, 2018, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere. In addition, she unlawfully obtained benefits from the Social Security Administration by providing false information about her living and financial arrangements with her co-defendant.
Arthurs’ co-defendant, former physician Paul Hoover, pleaded guilty and was sentenced in October 2019 to 11 years and four months in prison for conspiracy to illegally distribute oxycodone, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and Social Security fraud.
Assistant United States Attorneys Cindy K. Chung and Rachael L. Mamula are prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States. The investigation that led to the prosecution of Arthurs was conducted by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, U.S. Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Social Security Administration.
The case was investigated by the Western Pennsylvania Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit, which combines personnel and resources from the following agencies to combat the growing prescription opioid epidemic: Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, United States Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office – Criminal Division, Civil Division and Asset Forfeiture Unit, Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General, Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations, and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Licensing.
Arthurs is facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Her sentencing is scheduled for September 9, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. The actual sentence imposed will be based on the seriousness of the offense and Arthurs’ prior criminal history, if any.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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