Related Federal Cases
- Miami Clinic Owner Pleads Guilty to $5.3M HIV Fraud Scheme · Alabama
- Miami DME Clinic Owner Sentenced to 70 Months for $11M Fraud · Florida
- WV Biz Owner Cashed In on COVID Chaos · West Virginia
- WV Biz Owner Pilfered $300K in COVID Funds · Alabama
- Miami Clinic Owners Face Guilty Pleas in $5.3M Medicare Fraud Scam · Alabama
Pain Clinic Owner and Doctors Sentenced for Prescription Drug Conspiracy
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Dennis M. Caroni, 38, of Los Angeles, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for running illegal pill mill pain clinics in Pensacola and New Orleans.
Caroni, along with Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo, 61, of Bradenton, and Dr. Joseph G. Pastorek, II, 62, of Slidell, LA, were found guilty of conspiring to unlawfully distribute prescription pain killers and money laundering.
According to the U.S. Attorney, the protection of citizens from unscrupulous individuals who operate pill mills is a primary concern of healthcare fraud investigations.
The indictment alleged that Caroni, as the owner and operator of Global pain management clinics, distributed oxycodone, methadone, and hydrocodone outside the usual course of professional medical practice.
The investigation, dubbed ‘Doc-in-a-Box,’ was a multi-year Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation that involved the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of Florida.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Randy Hensel and Alicia Kim prosecuted the case. DiLeo was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment plus one additional year home confinement, while Pastorek was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment plus one additional year home confinement.
The sentencing hearing was a culmination of years of investigation and prosecution, which highlighted the dangers of prescription medication abuse and the importance of holding accountable those who perpetuate it.
RELATED: Chicago Doc Gets 29 Months in Pill Mill Scheme
RELATED: Chicago Doc Sentenced in Pill Mill Scheme
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
ðŸâ€â€™ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News