Healthcare Facility Rx Drug Diversion – Pill Mill
A 51-year-old nurse practitioner, Danielle Simonson, pled guilty to distributing controlled substances outside the course of professional practice for no legitimate medical purpose.
According to the Department of Justice, Simonson admitted to unlawfully prescribing controlled substances to 105 patients without examining them or maintaining medical records.
These controlled substances include prescriptions for the opioids hydrocodone and oxycodone, benzodiazepines and amphetamine.
The Department of Justice says Simone also admitted to issuing 63 oxycodone prescriptions to two Suffolk County residents without treating either of them for a medical condition.
Attorney’s say the Suffolk County residents usually paid Simonson by mailing her packages of cash.
According to the Department of Justice, Simonson agreed to pay $200,000 to settle claims that the United States could have brought against her pursuant to the Controlled Substances Act.
Simonson’s sentencing is scheduled for December 15. She faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine up to $1 million and three years of post-imprisonment supervised release, the Department of Justice said.
Simonson’s plea agreement also requires that she immediately surrender her nurse practitioner and nursing licenses to the State of New York.
Tags: Arrests Healthcare Fraud Hydrocodone Medically Unnecessary Nurse Practitioners Opioid Crisis Oxycodone Pill Mills Rx Fraud
