News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2006

Flint Area Doctor Convicted on Narcotics Charges

Mukunda Dev Mukherjee, M.D., age 63, of Fenton, Michigan, a physician practicing at 1020 Professional Drive, Suite A-5, Flint, Michigan, was found guilty today of 44 counts of illegal distribution of Schedule II, III, and V Controlled Substances. He was acquitted of 10 counts. The jury deliberated for approximately one-and-a-half days before returning the verdicts, concluding a 12-day trial before the Honorable Paul V. Gadola in United States District Court in Flint, Michigan announced Stephen J. Murphy, United States Attorney.

During the trial, the government presented proofs that Dr. Mukherjee issued Oxycontin, Morphine, Vicodin, and Phenergan with Codeine without physical examinations, while several patients were simultaneously in his office, and with post-dated prescriptions. Dr. Mukherjee charged $45 for one controlled substance prescription and $90 for a second, post-dated controlled substance prescription. The jury found that Dr. Mukherjee issued the controlled substance prescriptions without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the course of professional practice. The evidence also demonstrated that area pharmacies refused to fill the controlled substance prescriptions issued by Dr. Mukherjee. Records revealed that Dr. Mukherjee issued more 80 mg.-Oxycontin prescriptions than any other physician or hospital in the state of Michigan during the period of January 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004.

Dr. Mukherjee is facing up to 20 years of incarceration on each of 12 of the felony counts, and up to 5 years of incarceration on 14 additional felony counts. Dr. Mukherjee is also facing up to a year of incarceration on each of 18 misdemeanor counts. Dr. Mukherjee agreed to the forfeiture of approximately $169,340.15 in assets upon his conviction.

“A physician who prescribes highly addictive drugs, such as OxyContin and Vicodin, when there is no legitimate medical need, seriously jeopardizes the health of our citizens and the safety of our community. As a result of the excellent work by federal, state, and local law enforcement, Dr. Mukherjee will no longer be in a position to put dangerous narcotics in the hands of addicts,” said U.S. Attorney Murphy.

“Dr. Mukherjee is no different than the drug trafficker on the street corner, pushing cocaine and heroin on America’s youth. He used his position of trust and the patients’ addictions to line his pockets with cash,” DEA Special Agent in Charge Robert L. Corso said.

Sentencing is set for Thursday, May 11, 2006, at 3:00 p.m.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Jones and Rita Foley, and was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Diversion Unit, the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (BAYANET), the Flint Area Narcotics Group (FANG), and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department.