A doctor with an office in St. Louis and two of his employees have been indicted in U.S. District Court on charges of conspiracy, illegal prescribing of controlled substances, and healthcare fraud.
Dr. David A. Parks, 66, James M. Bilderback, 58, both of Jefferson County, Missouri, and Michelle J. Scheer, 43, of St. Louis, were named in the indictment unsealed today. The indictment alleges that from at least July 6, 2016, through December 31, 2021, the three conspired to knowingly and intentionally prescribe controlled substances outside of the usual course of professional practice and for no legitimate medical purpose.
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According to the indictment, the conspiracy aimed to maximize their patient population and, consequently, their profit. The indictment includes charges of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, illegal prescribing of controlled substances, and making false statements related to healthcare matters.
“As we continue to combat the opioid crisis, our agency remains committed to investigating those involved in fraudulent schemes exploiting controlled substances for profit,” said Special Agent in Charge Linda T. Hanley of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “This indictment demonstrates HHS-OIG’s commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to protect vulnerable individuals from harm and uphold the integrity of healthcare providers.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) led the investigation, highlighting the collaborative effort in combating prescription drug abuse and fraud within the healthcare system.
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All three defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, if convicted, each count of conspiracy and healthcare fraud carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Each count of illegal drug distribution carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, or both.
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