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Physician Convicted of Opioid Abuse and Healthcare Fraud
A federal jury has found Dr. William R. Bauer, an 84-year-old physician from Port Clinton, Ohio, guilty of prescribing powerful controlled substances, including opioids, to patients without medical necessity and outside the usual course of medical practice.
The conviction came after a two-week trial, during which evidence presented established that Dr. Bauer repeatedly prescribed controlled substances, including Oxycodone, Fentanyl, Morphine, and Tramadol, outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. This resulted in patients receiving high doses of opioids and other controlled substances without regard to any improvement in pain level, function, or quality of life, and in some cases, with dangerous drug combinations.
The indictment, initially filed in August of 2019 and amended in June of 2021, focused on Dr. Bauer’s treatment of 14 patients. The evidence presented at trial showed that Dr. Bauer ignored warning signs of abuse and diversion, such as patient family members stealing medications, patients frequently requesting early refills, and patients losing medications.
Dr. Bauer was also convicted of healthcare fraud. Evidence introduced at trial established that he regularly administered epidural injections and trigger point injections, without medical necessity, that failed to meet certain procedural requirements. As a result, these injections were rendered ineffective and were fraudulently billed to insurers.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ava R. Dustin, Michael A. Sullivan, Robert N. Melching, and Payum Doroodian.
The exact sentence for Dr. Bauer will be determined at a later date. The conviction is a significant blow to the opioid epidemic that has ravaged communities across the country.
This case serves as a reminder that healthcare professionals have a responsibility to prioritize patient safety and well-being, and that those who fail to do so will be held accountable.
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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