Decatur Physician Charged With Illegal Distribution Of Hydrocodone
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Jim Lewis, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, announced that a federal grand jury in Springfield returned an indictment today that charges Sukhwinder Multani, 41, of the 3700 block of N. Ashley Court, Decatur, Ill., with illegal distribution of hydrocodone.
The indictment alleges that on three occasions, between April 2014 and August 2014, Multani prescribed hydrocodone, which was then a Schedule III controlled substance, outside the course of professional medical practice and for no legitimate medical purpose. At the time of the alleged offenses, Multani was an authorized Drug Enforcement Administration registrant, engaged in private practice as Universal Walk-In Urgent Care, located at 3767 E. US Route 36, Decatur, Ill.
The classification for hydrocodone has since been changed by the DEA to Schedule II.
According to public documents filed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation, in September 2014, Multani’s licenses were ordered suspended.
If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty for each count of distribution of a controlled substance is 10 years in prison, and a fine of up to $500,000.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elly M. Peirson. The charges are the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The U.S. Clerk of the Court will issue a summons and date for Multani to appear for arraignment.
Parents and children are encouraged to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.
