You are currently browsing the daily archive for November 24th, 2008.
On more than one occasion Ouch! has addressed the rising problem of narcotic prescription trafficing involving physicians running afoul of the law. Two recent series of arrests highlight the persistence of the problem.
The Dayton Daily News recently reported that Dr. Richard Sievers, 53, of Oakwood, Ohio was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that he conspired with others to illegally distribute controlled substances by writing prescriptions with no legitimate medical purpose. The drugs included Amphetamine, OxyContin (oxycodone), Vicodin ES (hydrocodone), Xanax (alprazolam), and Methadone (methadose).
According to the article “Sievers faces up to 20 years in prison on a conspiracy charge and was also indicted on five counts of illegally distributing methadose and one count of illegally distributing oxycodone, each punishable by up to 20 years in prison . . . .” Sievers is one of ten charged as a result of the ongoing drug investigation.
Read more about the case by clicking here.
The Lexington Herald-Leader recently reported the arrest of Roger Browne, a Florida physician who was supplying prescriptions to ten Kentuckians who visited his South Florida pain-management clinic, obtained the pills and then returned to illegal sell the medications in Kentucky. Browne and the ten Kentuckians have been charged in an interstate prescription-pill ring, and all have pleaded guilty. Police indicate that the case is an example of an increasing problem of Kentucky residents traveling to other states to obtain prescriptions for pain killers and then returning to the state to sell the narcotics.
Read more about the arrest by clicking here.
In an announcement from DWC Commissioner Dwight T. Lovan, Chief ALJ Donna Terry will be retiring at the end of the year:
“Chief ALJ Donna Terry has advised me she will retire at the end of the year. As you all know this will be a great loss to the Kentucky workers compensation system and to all of us. Donna was one of the original ALJs and has a vast knowledge of the law and its administration. She is an individual who has always demonstrated a willingness to go above and beyond the every day aspect of the job. She has over the years provided wise counsel to commissioners and ALJs. She makes herself available to anyone here in the Frankfort office or those in the field offices to answer questions or provide solutions to problems. I will miss her wisdom and am grateful for her friendship. Take the opportunity to wish her well and thank her for her service.
“Beginning January 1, 2009, ALJ J. Landon Overfield will serve as Acting Chief ALJ. He will maintain an office in Henderson, but spend most days during the week here in Frankfort. This is a temporary appointment at this time. Like Donna, Landon possesses a great deal of wisdom and a genuine desire to see that we have the best workers compensation system available.”
