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Defendant Admits to Distributing Over 500,000 Oxycodone Pills
Shirley Douglas, the 70-year-old owner of Abyssinia Love Knot Physical Therapy L.L.C. in West Bloomfield, Michigan, has pleaded guilty to her role in a drug diversion scheme. The pain clinic and physical therapy clinic were purportedly legitimate medical facilities, but in reality, they were used to distribute medically unnecessary controlled substances to patients in exchange for payment.
According to the plea agreement, Douglas conspired with her co-conspirators to employ physicians who would write prescriptions for controlled substances such as oxycodone and oxymorphone. Douglas would then facilitate patient visits with these doctors and accept payment from patients and recruiters in exchange for the prescriptions.
The investigation revealed that Medicare beneficiaries were required to sign physical therapy documents in order to receive prescriptions for controlled substances, regardless of medical necessity. This scheme resulted in the distribution of over 500,000 oxycodone pills.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski, Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. Plancon of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Detroit Division, and Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s Chicago Regional Office made the announcement.
Douglas pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances before U.S. District Judge David Lawson of the Eastern District of Michigan. Sentencing has been scheduled for December 19, 2019.
The case was investigated by the DEA and HHS-OIG, with Trial Attorney Patrick Suter and Assistant Chief Malisa Dubal of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuting the case. This case is part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, a joint initiative between the government and HHS to prevent and deter fraud in the Medicare program.
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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