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WHEELING -- A Jefferson County physician faces up to 50 years in prison and up to $1 million in fines for fraudulently distributing oxycodone prescriptions.
Dr. Tod Hagins of Wintersville has admitted to writing fraudulent prescriptions to be sold on the streets from his Weirton practice, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced Monday.
Hagins, 52, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice, one count of health care fraud and one count of money laundering.
According to information released by Powell's office, Hagins operated a general medical practice, as well as the Weirton Suboxone Clinic, on Washington Street in Weirton.
Hagins admitted to prescribing oxycodone to several individuals without a legitimate medical purpose, to be sold on the streets for a share in the profits. Hagins also admitted to writing the prescriptions for oxycodone in a manner that would allow the individual filling said prescriptions to be paid by West Virginia Medicaid.
Powell further stated Hagins deposited $4,000 into a business equity line of credit, with the intention of concealing the criminal activity.
Hagins faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the first count, up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the second count and up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $500,000 for the third count.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner is prosecuting the case, with Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp Jr. presiding.
The case has been investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, the office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner Fraud Division, the West Virginia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Office of Ohio Attorney General Health Care Fraud Unit, the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, the Jefferson County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force and the West Virginia State Police.