01-05-2025
Michigan doctor operated ‘sham' clinic, illegally prescribed opioids
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — A doctor from Southfield has been convicted on 11 charges stemming from writing more than 3,000 illegal prescriptions at what federal prosecutors called a 'sham clinic.'
A federal jury convicted Dr. Charise Valentine, 69, on one charge of conspiracy and 10 counts of illegal distribution last Friday for prescribing more than 200,000 pills, including oxycodone and oxymorphone, to people who did not have an actual need for them.
Prosecutors say 'patients' would be brought to Orthopedic Medical Building, a false clinic that operated out of a warehouse in Oak Park, by 'patient recruiters' or 'marketers.' The clinic only accepted cash and charged patients $200-500 per prescription, but did not charge anything if the patient did not receive an opioid prescription.
Prices were determined on the quantity, type, and dosage of opioids received, which prosecutors say were usually Oxycodone 30mg or Oxymorphone 40mg. The clinic also offered a service where people could pay for falsified medical records.
Prosecutors say Valentine was paid more than $500,000 in cash over around 19 months. about half of the clinic's proceeds. She was only paid if she wrote an opioid prescription to a patient.
The other defendants in this case are clinic operator Iris Winchester, Dr. Michele Ritter, clinic employee Kristina Brown, and Joyce Robinson. All three pleaded guilty.
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