Christopher Vassalluzzo, MD, has pleaded guilty to operating a Philadelphia "pill mill" that distributed millions of prescription diet drugs, according to an Intelligencer report.
Dr. Vassalluzzo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, mail fraud and tax evasion. According to the report, his clinic in Philadelphia prescribed diet pills to anyone who came into the office. Pills were allegedly sold by several employees who were not licensed to practice medicine, and physicians created charts and records to suggest the business was a real medical practice. Several of Dr. Vassalluzzo's employees have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
He will serve 34 months in prison and forfeit $5.2 million, houses in various cities, several vehicles, a collection of more than 300 shark teeth and sharks-tooth necklaces, a collection of 997 fountain pens and other valuables, according to the report. Prosecutors agreed not to forfeit the physician's license or DEA registration certificate, though other agencies could still opt to revoke them.
Dr. Vassalluzzo worked as an ER physician in several area hospitals, including St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown, Pa., and Abington Health Lansdale (Pa.) Hospital.
Read the Intelligencer report on Christopher Vassalluzzo.
Read more on pill mills:
-Florida Senate Passes Measure Targeting Pill Mills With Harsher Penalties, Drug Database
-Florida's Pill Mill Regulations Get More Complicated
-String of Pain Clinics in Florida, Texas Forced to Shut Down Operations
Dr. Vassalluzzo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, mail fraud and tax evasion. According to the report, his clinic in Philadelphia prescribed diet pills to anyone who came into the office. Pills were allegedly sold by several employees who were not licensed to practice medicine, and physicians created charts and records to suggest the business was a real medical practice. Several of Dr. Vassalluzzo's employees have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
He will serve 34 months in prison and forfeit $5.2 million, houses in various cities, several vehicles, a collection of more than 300 shark teeth and sharks-tooth necklaces, a collection of 997 fountain pens and other valuables, according to the report. Prosecutors agreed not to forfeit the physician's license or DEA registration certificate, though other agencies could still opt to revoke them.
Dr. Vassalluzzo worked as an ER physician in several area hospitals, including St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown, Pa., and Abington Health Lansdale (Pa.) Hospital.
Read the Intelligencer report on Christopher Vassalluzzo.
Read more on pill mills:
-Florida Senate Passes Measure Targeting Pill Mills With Harsher Penalties, Drug Database
-Florida's Pill Mill Regulations Get More Complicated
-String of Pain Clinics in Florida, Texas Forced to Shut Down Operations