White-collar criminal cases lack an element of violence, but they still carry the potential to bring life-altering repercussions for those convicted of these crimes. A recent case underlines the severity of these potential penalties as a Michigan man was charged with both illegal distribution of prescription medication and health care fraud, as well as other charges. He was sentenced to two decades behind bars after his conviction on 30 criminal counts.
Serious penalties for a serious crime
The federal government considers the illegal distribution of narcotics and illegal substances to be a grave criminal offense. Federal prosecutors often pursue maximum penalties in more severe cases. This defendant was not only sentenced to years in prison, but he is also required to pay more than $5 million to Medicare, and he must forfeit more than $35 million in assets.
The charges against him originated from an investigation into a medical clinic he ran. Investigators suspected that he was running a pill mill operation rather than a legitimate medical care clinic. He was accused of writing unnecessary prescriptions for a range of drugs, including Oxycodone, Xanax, morphine and more.
Defending against these charges
Health care fraud, as well as any federal charge, can result in consequences that may change the course of a person’s life. It is critical to confront these charges with a strong defense strategy. Any individual suspected of white-collar criminal offenses or federal crimes will benefit from seeking defense guidance as soon as possible after the initiation of an investigation or arrest.
