A Fort Lauderdale doctor is facing criminal charges and accusations that he wrote false prescriptions for unnecessary treatment. Authorities say that he gave fake consultations to clients in order to prescribe pain pills that patients didn’t need. Police say that the victims are the taxpayers and the patients who may have addictions to prescription pain medications.
The doctor is released on bond to await further proceedings in his case. He can choose to work with a Fort Lauderdale Prescription Fraud Lawyer to defend against the charges. The doctor’s bond conditions include a curfew and posting money to ensure his appearance at trial. Police say that the doctor wrote prescriptions for more than one million doses of drugs that patients didn’t need. They say that the fraud involved more than $3 million dollars.
As part of the proceedings, the police can seek forfeiture of the money and property that the doctor allegedly used to commit the crimes. In this case, they’re seeking forfeiture of millions of dollars as well as two pieces of real estate. Law enforcement can seek to seize money and property if someone uses the money or property in order to commit a crime. The doctor can work with a Fort Lauderdale Prescription Fraud Lawyer to challenge the forfeiture of property. Police say in the doctor’s case, he used the money he got from his alleged crimes to make payments on his home.
Along with charges of prescription fraud, a person who writes false prescriptions can face related charges. Money laundering, health-care fraud and wire fraud are other charges that a person may face for writing or obtaining a false prescription. If members of the doctor’s staff are in on the fraud, they can also face charges.
Both doctors and patients can commit prescription fraud. The penalties are often serious because the courts are aware of the serious effects of substance abuse. When a doctor commits prescription fraud, their victims may be the very patients that come to the doctor for help.
If you’re facing a charge of prescription fraud, your Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer can also help you defend against sanctions on your professional license. A criminal conviction for prescription fraud can cost your license to practice medicine in addition to criminal penalties. That’s why it’s important to work with a prescription fraud criminal lawyer in order to defend against the charges to the fullest extent of the law. If you or someone you know have been in a similar legal situation contact Hassett & Associates, P.A. at 954-791-3939.