What Happened
Jeffrey Sutton, a physician who practiced in Niles, Ohio, until early 2022, pleaded guilty in federal court on January 30, 2023, to 31 counts of illegally prescribing opioids and other controlled substances, one count of illegally distributing controlled substances, and 20 counts of healthcare fraud. Court documents state that from January 2015 through January 2022 he prescribed medically unnecessary controlled substances outside the usual course of professional practice. He also admitted delivering dozens of oxycodone pills to the home of a patient without a valid prescription. Sentencing was scheduled for May 23, 2023.
“pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, to 31 counts of illegally prescribing patients opioids and other controlled substances”
Related Guidance
- 15 Red Flags of Drug Diversion — Behavioral and transactional indicators of diversion.
- Investigation Playbook — How to investigate suspected diversion inside an organization.