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NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WTVF) – Nine health professionals in Middle Tennessee have been charged in a federal indictment for their alleged involvement in the illegal prescription and distribution of opioids.
The Department of Justice announced on Wednesday the charges against 60 people, including 31 doctors, 7 pharmacists, 8 nurse practitioners and 7 other licensed health professionals. Kentucky, West Virginia and Alabama are among the other states.
The following people were charged in Tennessee:
- Dr. Darrell Rinehart (Columbia): "charged with 19 counts of prescribing a Schedule II controlled substance out of the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose, between December 4, 2014 and January 21" 2016. According to the indictment, four patients died while they were actively seen by the indictment, Dr. Rinehart also alleges that on November 27, 2018 , the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners has suspended Rinehart's medical license until May 31, 2019, when his license will expire and he will be prohibited from renewing it or applying for a new license. "
- Dr. Bowdoin Smith (Carthage): "charged with prescribing a Schedule II controlled substance outside the normal course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose, in January and February 2019. The indictment alleges that in October 2012 Smith made a consent order with the state of Tennessee, Department of Health, Osteopathic Examination Committee based on facts stipulated that Smith, among others, Prescribed prescribed substances "that are not part of the practice of a liberal profession, or that do not show good faith to relieve pain and suffering, or do not cure an illness, physical disability or illness. disease, "and Smith's treatment" commonly included the prescription of narcotics and other drugs and controlled substances in quantities and / or for durations medically unnecessary, recommended or warranted for a diagnosed condition. "Medical License Smith was placed on probation for a period of at least three years from October 11, 2012. According to the indictment, On November 4, 2015, the Board terminated the probation and Smith began to prescribe opioid drugs again illegally, until February 2019. "
- Dr. Lawrence Valdez (Life Survival Health, Hendersonville): "charged under 18 counts of having prescribed a controlled substance of Schedule II outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose, between June 2016 and March 2017."
- Dr. Timothy Abbott (podiatrist, Nashville): "charged with seven counts for prescribing a Schedule II controlled substance outside the normal course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose, between January 2015 and January 2019."
- Brian Richey (Nurse Practitioner, MD Franklin Bread): "Indicted under three counts of health system fraud and a count of conspiracy to commit fraud in the health system." According to the indictment, Richey, Seeley and White were employed by MedManagement Inc., which managed MD's bread in Franklin, Tennessee. "
- Daniel Seeley (Nurse Practitioner, MD Franklin Bread): "Indicted under three counts of health system fraud and a count of conspiracy to commit fraud in the health system." According to the indictment, Richey, Seeley and White were employed by MedManagement Inc., which managed MD's bread in Franklin, Tennessee. "
- Jonathan White (Nurse Practitioner, MD Franklin Bread): "Indicted under three counts of health system fraud and a count of conspiracy to commit fraud in the health system." According to the indictment, Richey, Seeley and White were employed by MedManagement Inc., which managed MD's bread in Franklin, Tennessee. "
- John Polston (Celina): "charged with 21 counts of controlled substances in Tables II and IV, outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose, between April 27, 2017 and December 6, 2017. The act charge alleges that Polston was the original pharmacist – Charge from Oakley Pharmacy, Inc. d / b / a Dale Hollow Pharmacy in Celina, Tennessee.On March 6, 2017, Polston entered into with the DEA a agreement requiring compliance with federal, state, and local laws to waive the indictment states that until approximately February 2019, Polston repeatedly and consistently released controlled substances, including opioids, resulting in dependency, which were not intended for a legitimate medical purpose or the usual practice of the profession. "
- Heather Marks (Nurse Practitioner, Murfreesboro): "charged with four counts of prescribing a Schedule II controlled substance outside the normal course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose, between December 2016 and February 2018."
The arrests took place as part of the opioid strike force in the Appalachian region, which began in December.
"The opioid epidemic is the deadliest drug crisis in American history, and the Appalachians are suffering the consequences more than any other region," said Attorney General William P. Barr.
According to a statement from the Justice Ministry, the charges would relate to "people contributing to the epidemic of opioids, especially health professionals involved in the illegal distribution of opioids and drug abusers. other narcotic prescription, a departmental priority ".
According to the CDC, 115 Americans die each day from an opioid-related overdose.
CBS News reporter Meg Oliver will be covering this Cookeville story tonight at CBS Evening News at 5:30 pm.
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