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