A federal grand jury in Buffalo, N.Y., has returned a 28-count indictment charging Pravin V. Mehta, MD, with illegally dispensing controlled drugs, primarily pain medications, according to an MSNBC report.
Dr. Mehta, who practiced in Niagara Falls, N.Y., is accused of distributing drugs such as fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone and oxymorphone. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. The indictment also seeks the office building that housed Dr. Mehta's practice and $1.5 million in currency from him.
Prosecutors allege that Dr. Mehta signed blank prescription forms and directed his staff to fill them out in his absence.
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