Latest news with #Oxymorphone
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
30-04-2025
- CBS News
Michigan doctor convicted of illegally prescribing 200,000 opioid pills
Selfridge ANB to get new fighter jets; Trump signs EO relaxing auto tariffs; and more top stories. Selfridge ANB to get new fighter jets; Trump signs EO relaxing auto tariffs; and more top stories. Selfridge ANB to get new fighter jets; Trump signs EO relaxing auto tariffs; and more top stories. A Southeast Michigan doctor has been convicted of federal charges relating to the unlawful distribution of more than 200,000 prescription opioid pills. Dr. Charise Valentine, 69, of Southfield, was found guilty April 25 by a jury of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute prescription opioids, including Oxycodone and Oxymorphone, and 10 counts of illegal distribution of Oxycodone and Oxymorphone, according to a press release from Acting United States Attorney Julie A. Beck of the Eastern District of Michigan. Valentine faced those charges for her role in prescribing medication during the time she was one of two primary doctors at the Orthopedic Medical Building in Oak Park. The district attorney's office said that from November 2016 to July 2018, Valentine issued more than 3,000 prescriptions for more than 200,000 pills to individuals "who did not have a legitimate medical need for the drugs." The clinic operated out of a warehouse, accepted only cash, and charged patients $200 to $500 per prescription, should they receive the medication, the report said. The cost depended on the quantity, type and dosage of the medication, which was usually Oxycodone 30mg or Oxymorphone 40mg. The report said both of those specific medications are among the most addictive prescription opioids and also are among "the most highly diverted prescription opioids due to their high street value." For her efforts, Valentine was about half of the clinic's proceeds, but only if she wrote an opioid prescription to a patient, not based on any supposed "medical care." She received an envelope of thousands in cash each day she worked. The other defendants charged in the case previously pleaded guilty to related charges, the report said. "Addressing the sources of the opioid epidemic – which include addictive opioid prescription pills as well as street drugs – remains a top priority of this office," Beck said. The Eastern District of Michigan is one of the twelve districts included in the Opioid Fraud Abuse and Detection Unit, a Department of Justice initiative that uses data to target and prosecute individuals who are contributing to the nation's opioid crisis. Those assisting on this case included special agents and task force officers of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of the Inspector General.
