Clifton Park doctor arrested for unlawful drug distribution
ALBANY, N.Y. –Scott McMahon, age 50, of Clifton Park, New York, was arrested today and charged with distributing controlled substances outside the course of professional practice and for no legitimate medical purpose.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division.
McMahon practices in Clifton Park, having previously maintained offices in Albany and other locations within the Capital Region. According to a criminal complaint, McMahon prescribed controlled substances, including Ritalin and its generic equivalents, for non-medical purposes and outside the usual course of professional practice, often with the intent of having his patients kick back a portion of each prescription to him for his own personal use.
The complaint alleges that McMahon prescribed controlled substances to people who were never his patients, including three young children of one patient, and the boyfriend of another patient. The activity alleged in the complaint occurred between December 2018 and April 2019.
The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty
McMahon appeared today in Albany before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, who ordered him detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Aug. 14.
If convicted, McMahon faces up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of post-imprisonment supervised release, and a maximum $1 million fine. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case is being investigated by the DEA Albany District Office’s Tactical Diversion Squad and its Capital District Drug Enforcement Task Force, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett. Also assisting in the investigation are the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the New York State Police, the New York State Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement and the DEA Burlington Resident Office in Vermont.
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