Martin Tesher, Illegal Distribution of Oxycodone, New York 2023

A Manhattan doctor has been arrested for allegedly writing thousands of illegal prescriptions for oxycodone, a powerful painkiller.

Martin Tesher, 63, is accused of prescribing oxycodone to patients without a legitimate medical purpose between 2012 and 2017, according to a federal complaint unsealed in Brooklyn federal court.

Tesher, a family practitioner, allegedly wrote more than 14,000 prescriptions for oxycodone, totaling over 2.2 million pills, a disproportionately high amount for a family practitioner, authorities said.

As alleged, Tesher continued to prescribe oxycodone to patients who were addicted to the drug or using other illicit substances, including heroin and cocaine. In one case, he prescribed a patient 15 oxycodone pills a day on their first visit without verifying any injury.

“As alleged, Dr. Tesher used his position as a doctor not to heal but to foster opioid addiction,” said Acting United States Attorney Bridget M. Rohde. “This Office and our partners at the DEA will continue to hold medical professionals accountable to the fullest extent of the law whenever they abrogate their duties and contribute to the opioid crisis.”

The charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. Tesher is scheduled to appear in federal court in Brooklyn later today.

The investigation was led by the DEA’s Long Island Tactical Diversion Squad, which worked with several other law enforcement agencies, including the New York City Police Department and the Nassau County Police Department.

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