A Manhattan, N.Y.-based physician and eight others have been charged for allegedly distributing oxycodone pills through a Manhattan-based drug ring, according to a news release by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Diana Williamson, MD, allegedly wrote oxycodone prescriptions to patients without legitimate need for the medication between Sept. 2009 and Aug. 2010.
Co-conspirators Lenny Hernandez allegedly recruited Miguel Angel Hernandez, Franmi Saeta and Ivette Arroyo to obtain oxycodone prescriptions from Dr. Williamson and helped the individuals fill the prescriptions and arranged to resell the oxycodone to third parties. Two others, Antonio Martinez and Carl Guilford, allegedly obtained oxycodone prescriptions from Dr. Williamson, despite having no medical need for the medication, then used their government-provided health benefits to fill their prescriptions and sold the pills to Mr. Hernandez and Dr. Williamson.
Approximately 11,000 oxycodone pills were obtained and distributed by members of the drug ring. According to the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General, over the course of the conspiracy $997,128 of $4,392,832 in Medicaid drug expenses for medications prescribed by Dr. Williamson was attributable to Oxycontin prescriptions.
Read the Department of Justice news release about the physician-led drug ring.
Read other coverage on healthcare fraud in New York:
- Former New York Head of Disabled Center Charged with Medicaid Fraud
- New York Nurse and One Other Arrested for Medicaid Fraud
- New York Senator Introduces Bill to Stop Healthcare Fraud
Diana Williamson, MD, allegedly wrote oxycodone prescriptions to patients without legitimate need for the medication between Sept. 2009 and Aug. 2010.
Co-conspirators Lenny Hernandez allegedly recruited Miguel Angel Hernandez, Franmi Saeta and Ivette Arroyo to obtain oxycodone prescriptions from Dr. Williamson and helped the individuals fill the prescriptions and arranged to resell the oxycodone to third parties. Two others, Antonio Martinez and Carl Guilford, allegedly obtained oxycodone prescriptions from Dr. Williamson, despite having no medical need for the medication, then used their government-provided health benefits to fill their prescriptions and sold the pills to Mr. Hernandez and Dr. Williamson.
Approximately 11,000 oxycodone pills were obtained and distributed by members of the drug ring. According to the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General, over the course of the conspiracy $997,128 of $4,392,832 in Medicaid drug expenses for medications prescribed by Dr. Williamson was attributable to Oxycontin prescriptions.
Read the Department of Justice news release about the physician-led drug ring.
Read other coverage on healthcare fraud in New York:
- Former New York Head of Disabled Center Charged with Medicaid Fraud
- New York Nurse and One Other Arrested for Medicaid Fraud
- New York Senator Introduces Bill to Stop Healthcare Fraud