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Sunday, May 3, 2026

Doctor Sentenced for Role in Illegally Distributing 6.6 Million Opioid ... - Department of Justice

Ringleader of Scheme Sentenced to 16.5 Years in Prison for Multiple Health Care Fraud-Related Charges Involving Sponsorship of Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Famers

A Michigan doctor was sentenced today to 16.5 years in prison for his role in a health care fraud scheme that resulted in over $250 million in false and fraudulent claims being submitted to Medicare, Medicaid, and other health insurance programs, exploited patients suffering from addiction by administering unnecessary injections, illegally distributed over 6.6 million doses of medically unnecessary opioids, and engaged in money laundering.

“This defendant exploited vulnerable patients struggling with addiction by overprescribing highly dangerous opioid pills and exposing them to unnecessary and sometimes painful injections,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “To make matters worse, the defendant and his co-conspirators submitted over $250 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and other health insurance programs. As this case demonstrates, the Department of Justice will continue to relentlessly combat health care fraud, particularly where defendants endanger patients by providing addictive substances and billing for needless procedures.”

In September 2021, Francisco Patino, M.D., 68, of Wayne County, was convicted at trial in the Eastern District of Michigan of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire...



Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMidmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lmp1c3RpY2UuZ292L29w...