Doctors Prosecuted for Buying Misbranded or Counterfeit Prescription Medicines, 2005–

Doctors Prosecuted for Buying Misbranded or Counterfeit Prescription Medicines, 2005—2016

  1. Michael “Ted” Mimlitz, St. Louis, Missouri
    Pleaded guilty in January 2016 to charges related to distributing black market human growth hormone
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $89,500 in fines.
    Source: www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/blog/2016/04/doctor-gets-probation-for-giving-patients-mexican.html
  2. Gamal H. Eltabbakh, South Burlington, Vermont
    Agreed in February 2016 to pay $500,000 to settle a lawsuit related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Source: www.justice.gov/usao-vt/pr/united-states-and-vermont-doctor-resolve-matter-involving-non-fda-approved-drugs-and
  3. Paul S. Singh, Tehachapi, California
    Pleaded guilty March 2016 to charges related to implanting black market IUDs in patients
    Sentenced to 6 months in prison and to pay $91,900 in fines.
    Source: www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/tehachapi-doctor-sentenced-6-months-prison-defrauding-patients-and-insurers-implanting
  4.  John F. Kiraly, Lodi, California
    Agreed in May 2016 to pay $300,000 to settle a lawsuit related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Source: www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/lodi-oncologist-and-office-administrator-pay-300000-settle-false-claims-act-allegations
  5. Ona M. Colasante, Gainesville, Florida
    Convicted in May 2016 of 162 counts of health care fraud and buying “non-FDA approved drugs”
    Sentence is pending
    Source: www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl/pr/gainesville-physician-convicted-162-counts-health-care-fraud
  6. Neurology Associates of Greenville, Greenville, South Carolina
    Pleaded guilty August 2016 to charges related to buying black market Botox
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $300,000 in fines.
    Source: www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/greenville-medical-practice-receives-probationary-sentence-and-agrees-pay-300000-united
  7. Magdy Elsawy, Clive, Iowa
    Agreed in November 2016 to pay $176,460 to settle a lawsuit related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Source: www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/health/2016/11/29/cancer-doctor-pays-176460-faulty-drug-case/94608998/
  8. Anda Norbergs, Palm Harbor, Florida
    Convicted in November 2016 of charges related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Sentence is pending
    Source: www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/palm-harbor-oncologist-convicted-buying-unapproved-cancer-medications-foreign-sources
  9. Joel Erskin, Topeka, Kansas
    Pleaded guilty in December 2016 to charges related to buying black market Botox
    Sentence is pending
    Source: www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/physician-s-assistant-pleads-guilty-violating-federal-food-drug-and-cosmetic-act

2015

  1. Mark Heinicke, Louisville, Kentucky
    Pleaded guilty in January 2015 to charged related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $515,408 in fines.
    Source: www.justice.gov/usao-wdky/pr/louisville-physician-pays-51540885-treating-patients-misbranded-drugs-and-fraudulently
  2. Dickson Medical Associates, P.C, Dickson, Tennessee
    Agreed in February 2015 to pay $500,000 to settle a lawsuit related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Source: www.justice.gov/usao-mdtn/pr/dickson-tennessee-medical-practice-pay-more-half-million-dollars-settle-false-claims
  3. Prabhjit S. Purewal, Manteca, California
    Agreed in February 2015 to pay $550,000 to settle a lawsuit related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Source: www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/manteca-oncologist-agrees-pay-550000-resolve-false-claims-act-allegations
  4. Mohamad Ayman Ghraowi, Corpus Christi, Texas
    Pleaded guilty in April 2015 to charges related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $900,000 in fines.
    Source: www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm444644.htm
  5. Ali Ben-Jacob, Salt Lake City, Utah
    Pleaded guilty in April 2015 to charges related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $950,000 in fines.
    Source: www.justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/cache-valley-cancer-treatment-and-research-clinic-pleads-guilty-misdemeanor-information
  6. Robert Carter, Joplin, Missouri
    Pleaded guilty in July 2015 to charges related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $2,171,866 in fines.
    Source: www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/former-joplin-oncologist-sentenced-dispensing-foreign-misbranded-drugs
  7. Neelesh Bangalore, Stockton, California
    Agreed in July 2015 to pay $736,000 to settle a lawsuit related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Source: www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/stockton-oncologist-pays-736000-resolve-false-claims-act-allegations
  8. Mel E. Lucas, St. Louis, Missouri
    Pleaded guilty in September 2015 to charges related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $185,799 in fines.
    Source: www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/local-physician-and-clinic-sentenced-health-care-related-charges

2014

  1. Anoushirvan Sarraf, McLean, Virginia
    Convicted in July 2014 to charges related to being a drop shipper assisting Gallant Pharmaceuticals distribute black market oncology drugs and cosmetic injectables and to treating patients with black market cosmetic drugs.
    Sentenced to 18 months in prison and 2 years supervised release.
    Source: www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/owner-mclean-medspa-sentenced-illegally-importing-non-fda-approved-drugs-and-using
  2. David Mandel, Mayfield Village, Ohio
    Pleaded guilty in August 2014 to charges related to buying black market rheumatology drugs.
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $650,000 in fines.
    Source: www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm412509.htm
  3. Mohamed Basel Aswad, Albuquerque, New Mexico
    Pleaded guilty in November 2014 to charges related to buying black market oncology drugs.
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $1,298,543 in fines.
    Source: www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm423815.htm
  4. Raymond Sean Brown, Cleveland, Ohio
    Pleaded guilty in November 2014 to charges related to Medicare fraud and buying black market Botox
    Sentenced to 28 months in prison and to pay $7,482,000 in fines.
    Source: www.justice.gov/usao-edtn/pr/cleveland-doctor-sentenced-defrauding-medicare

2013

  1. Joel I. Bernstein, La Jolla, California
    Pleaded guilty in June 2013 to charges related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $3,400,000 in fines.
    Source: archives.fbi.gov/archives/sandiego/press-releases/2013/local-oncology-practice-sentenced-to-pay-millions-for-role-in-medicare-fraud
  2. Ranjan Bhandari, Liverpool, Ohio
    Pleaded guilty in August 2013 to charges related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $1,140,000 in fines.
    Source: www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm384075.htm
  3. James S. Buck, Leitchfield, Kentucky
    Pleaded guilty August 2013 to charges related to implanting black market IUDs in patients
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $18,319 in fines
    Source: www.graysonrecord.com/content/local-doctor-sentenced-federal-court
  4. Timmappa Bidari, Parma, Ohio
    Pleaded guilty in September 2013 to charges related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $158,418 in fines
    Source: www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm384075.htm
  5. David Fishman, Euclid, Ohio
    Pleaded guilty in September 2013 to charges related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $150,000 in fines
    Source: www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm384075.htm
  6. Su-Chiao Kuo, Brunswick, Ohio
    Pleaded guilty in September 2013 to charges related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $179,840 in fines
    Source: www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm384075.htm
  7. Marwan Massouh, Westlake, Ohio
    Pleaded guilty in September 2013 to charges related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $609,150 in fines
    Source: www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm384075.htm
  8. Poornanand Palaparty, Cleveland, Ohio
    Pleaded guilty in September 2013 to charges related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $128,160 in fines
    Source: www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm384075.htm
  9. Hassan Tahsildar, Euclid, Ohio
    Pleaded guilty in September 2013 to charges related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $179,316 in fines
    Source: www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm384075.htm
  10. Cahn Jeff Vo, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
    Pleaded guilty in September 2013 to charges related to implanting black market IUDs in patients
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $50,663 in fines
    Source: www.justice.gov/usao-wdky/pr/owner-bluegrass-women-s-healthcare-elizabethtown-ordered-pay-victims-5066331
  11. Jan C. Seski, M.D. & Associates, P.C., Pittsburgh, PA
    Pleaded guilty in September 2013 to charges related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Sentenced to pay $100,000 in fines.
    Source: fox5sandiego.com/2013/09/19/oncology-practice-fined-for-buying-unapproved-cancer-drugs/
  12. Erick Falconer, St. Louis, Missouri
    Pleaded guilty in November 2013 to charges related to buying black market Botox
    Sentenced to 5 months in prison and to pay $20,000 in fines.
    Source: www.fiercepharma.com/drug-safety/doc-goes-to-jail-for-lying-about-foreign-sourced-botox
  13. Eduardo Miranda, Laredo, Texas
    Pleaded guilty in December 2013 to charges related to buying black market oncology drugs.
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $1,000,000 in fines.
    Source: www.kgns.tv/home/headlines/Laredo-physician-sentenced-to-five-years-probation-264757691.html

2012

  1. Abid Nisar, St. Louis, Missouri
    Pleaded guilty in February 2012 to charges related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Sentenced to probation and community services and to pay $1,025,336 in fines.
    Source: www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm294706.htm
  2. William Kincaid, Johnson City, Tennessee
    Pleaded guilty in December 2012 to charges related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Sentenced to 24 months in prison and to pay $2,550,000 in fines.
    Source: www.fda.gov/iceci/criminalinvestigations/ucm358849.htm

2011

  1. Isabella Martire, Laurel, Maryland
    Pleaded guilty in August 2011 to charges related to buying black market oncology drugs
    Sentenced to pay $514,000 in fines.
    Source: www.fda.gov/iceci/criminalinvestigations/ucm267356.htm
  2. Women’s Integrated Healthcare, Grapevine, Texas
    Settled a lawsuit with the state of Texas in 2011 related to implanting black market IUDs in their patients
    Paid $271,000 in fines.
    Source: www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=22081

2010

  1. Gayle Rothenberg, Houston, Texas
    Pleaded guilty in March 2010 to charges related to treating patients with black market Botox
    Sentenced to 5 and a half months in prison and to pay $98,000 in fines
    Source: www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Doctor-who-admitted-giving-fake-Botox-is-going-to-1542440.php
  2. Kelly Dean Shrum, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
    Pleaded guilty in November 2010 to charges related to implanting black market IUDs in his patients.
    Sentenced to probation and community service and to pay $279,194 in fines.
    Source: www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm274435.htm

2009

  1. Bayardo Cruz, Buena Park, California
    Pleaded guilty in May 2009 of charges related to implanting black market IUDs in his patients.
    Sentenced to probation and community service and to pay $38,000 in fines.
    Source: www.ocregister.com/articles/cal-298937-medi-cruz.html
  2. John D. Noonan, Albany, New York
    Pleaded guilty in August 2009 to charges related to treating patients with black market Botox.
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $111,711 in fines.
    Source: www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm276144.htm
  3. William F. De Luca, Jr., Albany, New York
    Pleaded guilty in August 2009 to charges related to treating patients with black market Botox.
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $111,711 in fines.
    Source: www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm276144.htm
  4. Steven M. Lynch, Albany, New York
    Pleaded guilty in August 2009 to charges related to treating patients with black market Botox.
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $111,711 in fines.
    Source: www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm276144.htm
  5. Douglas M. Hargave, Albany, New York
    Pleaded guilty in August 2009 to charges related to treating patients with black market Botox.
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $111,711 in fines.
    Source: www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm276144.htm
  6. Jeffrey L. Rockmore, Albany, New York
    Pleaded guilty in August 2009 to charges related to treating patients with black market Botox.
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $111,711 in fines.
    Source: www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm276144.htm
  7. Stephen Lee Seldon, Las Vegas, Nevada
    Convicted November 2009 of charges related to treating patients with black market Botox.
    Sentenced to 46 months in prison and to pay $144,000 in fines.
    Source: www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm261156.htm

2008

  1. Vinod Chandrashekm Patwardhan, Claremont, California
    Convicted in May 2008 of charges related to importing black market oncology drugs
    Sentenced to probation and community service, and to pay $1,313,634 in fines.
    Source: www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/ucm266237.htm

2007

  1. Albert Poet, Montclair, New Jersey
    Found guilty in March 2007 of charges related to treating patients with black market Botox
    Sentenced to 14 months in prison.
    Source: www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nj/Press/files/pdffiles/Older/poet0320rel.pdf
  2. Mark Van Wormer, Albuquerque, New Mexico
    Pleaded guilty in July 2007 to charges related to treating patients with black market Botox
    Sentenced to 12 months in prison and to pay $68,000 in fines
    Source: www.fda.gov/downloads/ICECI/EnforcementActions/EnforcementStory/UCM129818.pdf

2006

  1. Jerome Lentini, Salem, Oregon
    Pleaded guilty in March 2006 to charges related to treating people with black market Botox
    Sentenced to 18 months in prison and to pay $330,000
    Source: portlandtribune.com/component/content/article?id=106705
  2. Tasso Pappas, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
    Pleaded guilty in guilty April 2006 to charges related to treating patients with black market Botox
    Sentenced to probation and to pay $5,465 in fines.
    Source: siouxcityjournal.com/news/state-and-regional/sioux-falls-doctor-punished-for-using-illegal-botox/article_da23fde2-29ef-5961-a5af-cc95cb8da490.html
  3. Ivyl Wells, Boise, Idaho
    Pleaded guilty in July 2006 to charges related to treating patients with black market Botox
    Sentenced to 6 months in prison and to pay $125,000 in fines.
    Source: www.spokesman.com/blogs/boise/2006/dec/12/boise-doctor-sentenced-for-injecting-mall-patients-with-unapproved-toxin/

2005

  1. Bach McComb, Oakland Park, Florida
    Pleaded guilty in November 2005 for treating people with black market Botox
    Sentenced to 36 months in prison.
    Source: articles.sun-sentinel.com/2006-01-26/news/0601251568_1_botulinum-toxin-bach-mccomb-botox