The number of prescribing cases filed in federal courts increases especially in areas that have been hit hard by prescription drug addiction. Last month, on
January 7, 2016, Jose Jorge Abbud Gordinho, M.D., of West Virginia, pleaded guilty in
federal court to illegally prescribing the pain medication hydrocodone. Dr.
Gordinho also pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare and Medicaid by submitting
materially false claims for medical services that were not medically necessary.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger set Dr. Gordinho’s sentencing for April 26, 2016, in Beckley. Dr. Gordinho faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a $1,250,000 fine, and restitution to Medicare and Medicaid. Additionally, as part of the plea agreement, he will permanently surrender his DEA Certificate of Registration, ensuring that he will no longer be permitted to prescribe controlled substances. The sentence will be determined by Judge Berger and will depend on numerous factors and advisory guidelines.
Dr. Gordinho admitted that he routinely prescribed pain pills for illegitimate purposes and in a manner that was outside the bounds of medical practice. Dr. Gordinho further admitted that he defrauded Medicare and Medicaid when he sought and received payment for office visits, services, and prescriptons related to his illegal prescribing practices.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger set Dr. Gordinho’s sentencing for April 26, 2016, in Beckley. Dr. Gordinho faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a $1,250,000 fine, and restitution to Medicare and Medicaid. Additionally, as part of the plea agreement, he will permanently surrender his DEA Certificate of Registration, ensuring that he will no longer be permitted to prescribe controlled substances. The sentence will be determined by Judge Berger and will depend on numerous factors and advisory guidelines.
Dr. Gordinho admitted that he routinely prescribed pain pills for illegitimate purposes and in a manner that was outside the bounds of medical practice. Dr. Gordinho further admitted that he defrauded Medicare and Medicaid when he sought and received payment for office visits, services, and prescriptons related to his illegal prescribing practices.
