Feds indict ‘pain clinic’ doctors
Two “pain clinics” in Campbell County were the target of federal investigators and have resulted in federal drug and money laundering indictments.
Attorney General William P. Barr and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex M. Azar III, together with multiple law enforcement partners, announced last week that enforcement actions involving 60 charged defendants across 11 federal districts – including 31 doctors, seven pharmacists, eight nurse practitioners, and seven other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in the illegal prescribing and distributing of opioids and other dangerous narcotics and for health care fraud schemes.
In addition, HHS claimed that since June, 2018, it has excluded more than 2,000 individuals from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, and all other Federal health care programs, which includes more than 650 providers excluded for conduct related to opioid diversion and abuse.
Since July, 2017, DEA has issued 31 immediate suspension orders, 129 orders to show cause, and received 1,386 surrenders for cause nationwide for violations of the Controlled Substances Act.
Included in the charges announced are the following indictments, which are on file with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee:
On April 2, 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Dr. Charles Brooks, 61, of Maryville, charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute Schedule III, IV and V drugs as well as one count of healthcare fraud for aiding and abetting a false statement related to health care matters.
This case was investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne-Marie Svolto will represent the United States in court proceedings.
On April 16, 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Dr. Stephen Mynatt, 64, of Knoxville, and Dr. David Newman, 58, of Maryville, charging them with conspiracy to distribute Schedule II controlled drugs. Mynatt was also charged with two counts of distribution of Schedule II drugs.
Both Mynatt and Newman were affiliated with Tennessee Valley Pain Specialists.
This case was investigated by the FBI, HHS-OIG, DEA, and TBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne-Marie Svolto, along with DOJ Trial Attorneys Drew Bradylyons and Louis Manzo, will represent the United States in court proceedings.
On April 16, 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Dr. Henry Babenco, 58, Paducah, Ky.; Sharon Naylor, 53, of Jacksboro; Alicia Taylor, 29, of Oneida; and Gregory Madron, 54, of Jacksboro; charging all of them with conspiracy to distribute Schedule II controlled drugs.
Naylor and Babenco were also charged with money laundering. Babenco, Naylor, Taylor, and Madron were all associated with LaFollette Wellness Center.
This case was investigated by the DEA and IRS-Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne-Marie Svolto, along with DOJ Trial Attorney Scott Armstrong, will represent the United States in court proceedings.
On April 16, 2019, a federal grand jury indicted Dr. Harrison Yang, 75, of Manchester, with healthcare fraud violations.
This case was investigated by the FBI, HHS-OIG, DEA, and TBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne-Marie Svolto, along with DOJ Trial Attorneys Drew Bradylyons and Louis Manzo, will represent the United States in court proceedings.
“Unfortunately, the Appalachian Region, which includes the Eastern District of Tennessee, is experiencing a surge in drug abuse and overdose related deaths,” said U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey. “Today is an example of how our office is working with our law enforcement partners in the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force to identify and prosecute dishonest medical professionals and others engaged in health care fraud schemes involving illegal prescription, distribution, possession, and use of opioids.”
Troy Sowers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Knoxville Division said, “These arrests clearly and tragically illustrate these so-called medical professionals were not legitimately assisting their patients - they were contributing to the opioid crisis epidemic that has destroyed families and taken so many lives. Not only were they engaging in criminal behavior, they were profiting from the addiction and pain of unsuspecting victims. Working alongside our partners, HHS, DEA, TBI, THP, and many other state and local agencies, we will continue to vigorously pursue anyone involved in trafficking opioids in this country while protecting the public’s health and welfare.”
