Fultondale, Ala. physician Paul Roberts, MD, is accused of unlawfully prescribing controlled substances while participating in a healthcare fraud scheme with two other men, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Northern District of Alabama.
Here's what you should know:
1. Dr. Roberts was charged Nov. 29 with conspiring and prescribing Adderall, Suboxone and oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose. He also allegedly prescribed oxycodone to one unnamed individual "in exchange for sexual favors."
2. He allegedly had his X-ray technician and office manager see patients with opioid addictions but billed Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama as though he saw the patients himself.
3. Dr. Roberts, Pharmacist Stanley Reeves and Sales Representative Brett Taft allegedly defrauded third parties for more than $10.5 million in illegally billed compounded drugs. Mr. Reeves and Mr. Taft are charged with spending the illegal proceeds.
4. The maximum penalty for dispensing controlled substances is 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The maximum for healthcare fraud and conspiracy is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.