⏱ 2 min read
Dr. Douglas Cline, a Warren County physician, and nurse practitioner Laurie McKenna have agreed to pay $500,000 to settle civil actions involving unlawful opioid prescribing practices and a fraudulent conveyance action in New York. The settlement stems from Cline’s cash-pay medical practice, Chronic Pain Management, where hundreds of patients received high-dose opioid prescriptions, often in combination with other controlled substances, in exchange for recurring payments. This practice led to federal scrutiny, and Cline attempted to transfer his lake house, valued at over $1 million, to his ex-wife to avoid paying a potential judgment.
The settlement is part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, and it bars Cline and McKenna from applying for or holding a DEA controlled-substances registration for 20 years. According to First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Cline’s practice was a high-volume, cash-pay operation that prioritized profits over patient care, with access to prescriptions tied to payments rather than regular medical examinations.
The actions of Cline and McKenna are particularly egregious given the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States. The settlement sends a strong message that such conduct will not be tolerated and will be met with aggressive enforcement action. The case highlights the importance of holding medical professionals accountable for their actions and ensuring that they prioritize patient care over personal gain.
The $500,000 settlement is a significant outcome, but it also serves as a reminder that the consequences of such actions can be severe and long-lasting. Cline and McKenna will be barred from participating in the healthcare industry for 20 years, and their actions will have a lasting impact on their patients and the community.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: White Collar Crime
- Defendant: New York
- Location: NY
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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