Milad Shaker, Controlled Substance Distribution, Pennsylvania 2017

A family practice physician has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of unlawfully dispensing controlled substances, health care fraud, tampering with a witness and false statements to the government.

PITTSBURGH, PA - Milad Shaker, 49, of Greensburg, Pa., has been charged with 56 counts of distributing controlled substances, including Vicodin, Percocet, Tramadol and others, in return for sexual favors provided to him either physically or by electronic communication, such as text messaging.

According to the superseding indictment, from 2014 to 2017, Shaker, a licensed physician, unlawfully distributed controlled substances. He is also charged with health care fraud for causing fraudulent claims to be submitted to Highmark Health Plan and Aetna.

The law provides for a per count sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000.00, or both, for counts 1-36; five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both on counts 37-52; 20 years in prison and fines of $500,000.00 for counts 53-54; 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines on count 55; and five years in prison and $250,000 fine on count 56.

Shaker is also accused of tampering with a witness and lying to the FBI. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the superseding indictment in this case.

A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar on behalf of the government.

The charges against Shaker carry significant penalties, including up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/greensburg-doctor-indicted-illegally-distributing-controlled-substances-and-health-care