Qing McGaha, Unlawful Drug Distribution, Florida 2023

Tampa Pain Clinic Doc Convicted of Opioid Trafficking

Tampa, FL – In a major blow to the opioid epidemic, a federal jury has found Dr. Qing McGaha guilty of 14 counts of unlawful drug distribution, 4 counts of money laundering, and 1 count of filing a false tax return.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, McGaha was a Florida-licensed medical doctor who owned and operated MD Care Clinic, a pain management clinic in Hillsborough County. Over a 20-month period, undercover agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted numerous appointments with McGaha. At each appointment, they received hydrocodone, hydromorphone, or oxycodone, Schedule II controlled substances not for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice.

Between January 2016 and January 2021, McGaha distributed more than 2.1 million opioid pills, leading to a significant contribution to the prescription opioid epidemic in the region. The opioid distribution charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for each count.

In addition to the opioid distribution charges, McGaha was found guilty of 4 counts of money laundering. She used funds criminally derived from the operation of her clinic to purchase a piece of real property in Clearwater and deposited them into her bank account. The money laundering charges carry a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison for each count.

The jury also found McGaha guilty of filing a false and fraudulent tax form for tax year 2020 that underreported MD Care’s gross revenue by nearly $300,000. This charge carries a maximum penalty of 3 years in federal prison.

McGaha's sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 15, 2023. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration—Tampa District Office, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the Lakeland Police Department, the Tampa Police Department, the Largo Police Department, and the United States Attorney’s Office Opioid Fraud Abuse and Detection Unit.

This case was also part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Greg Pizzo.

MD Care Clinic, the pain management clinic owned by McGaha, was not mentioned in the press release as being charged. However, it is likely that the clinic will face scrutiny in the future as the opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities across the country.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/jury-convicts-pain-clinic-doctor-unlawful-drug-distribution-money-laundering-and