DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
13 Results - Showing 1 to 10
PRESS RELEASE

Doctor Convicted at Trial for Unlawfully Dispensing Controlled Substances

MIAMI – On January 12, a Miami federal court jury convicted a doctor of conspiracy to unlawfully dispense and distribute controlled substances, and six counts of unlawfully dispensing controlled substances. The conviction followed a seven-day trial before U.S. District Judge James I. Cohn. Under federal law, a physician is authorized...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Nurse Sentenced for Drug Diversion from Boston-Area Hospital

BOSTON – A former nurse was sentenced yesterday in federal court today in Boston for diverting opioids from a Boston-area hospital. Andrea Falzano, 39, of Winchester, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to three months in prison and one year of supervised release. In August 2023...
PRESS RELEASE

New Hampshire Doctor Indicted for Unlawfully Distributing Opioids and Benzodiazepines

CONCORD, N.H. – A doctor practicing in the north country of New Hampshire was indicted in connection with his unlawful distribution of opioids and benzodiazepines, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Robert G. Soucy Jr., D.O., 70, of Columbia, New Hampshire, was indicted on 12 counts of distribution of controlled...
PRESS RELEASE

Panama City Physician Pays $225,000 to Settle Allegations that He Overprescribed Controlled Substances

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Dr. George Barrio, a pain management physician who formerly practiced medicine at the NeuroMedical Institute in Panama City, agreed to pay $225,000 to resolve allegations that he unlawfully prescribed opioids and other controlled substances to patients. The settlement was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney...
PRESS RELEASE

Northeast Hospital Agrees to Pay $1.9 Million To Resolve Allegations of Controlled Substance Recordkeeping Violations

BOSTON – Northeast Hospital Corporation (Northeast), part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, has agreed to pay $1.9 million in civil penalties to resolve allegations that Northeast violated the Controlled Substance Act (the CSA) by failing to keep accurate records of controlled substances, including opioids. The CSA requires accurate inventorying and...
PRESS RELEASE

Federal Court Issues Temporary Restraining Order Prohibiting Tampa-Area Clinic from Distributing Opioids and Other Prescription Drugs

WASHINGTON – A federal court issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting a Tampa-area clinic, its operators and a doctor from administering, dispensing or distributing any controlled substances, including issuing prescriptions for opioids, the Department of Justice announced. In a complaint filed on Oct. 11 and unsealed Oct. 14, the United...
PRESS RELEASE

Justice Department Obtains Temporary Restraining Order to Prevent Tampa-Area Physician from Writing Opioid Prescriptions

WASHINGTON – A federal court issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting a Tampa-area physician from prescribing opioids and other controlled substances, the Department of Justice announced today. In a complaint filed on July 18, and unsealed yesterday, the United States alleges that Dr. Neelam Taneja Uppal unlawfully wrote opioid prescriptions...
PRESS RELEASE

Federal Court Orders Clinic to Close, Physician and Clinic Owners to Pay $600,000 for Alleged Unlawful Opioid Distribution

WASHINGTON – A federal court ordered a Tampa-area pain management clinic to close and directed the clinic’s owners and its former physician to collectively pay $600,000 in civil penalties pursuant to agreed resolutions in a case alleging violations of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the Justice Department announced today. In...
PRESS RELEASE

West Barnstable Woman Sentenced for Stealing Opioids from Veterinary Office

BOSTON – A West Barnstable woman was sentenced on June 15, 2022 in federal court in Boston in connection with stealing hydrocodone, an opioid and Schedule II controlled substance, from the veterinary office where she worked. Melissa Paradise, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to...
PRESS RELEASE

Federal Court Orders Tampa Pharmacy to Close in Case Alleging Unlawful Opioid Distribution

MIAMI - A federal court in Florida ordered a Tampa-area pharmacy shut down and prohibited two of its employees from ever owning, managing or operating any business where controlled substances are dispensed. Pursuant to an agreed consent judgment and permanent injunction filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District...