Doctor Sentenced to More Than 16 Years Over Opioid Scam Involving ‘Medically Unnecessary’ Prescriptions

A doctor has been sentenced to more than 16 years behind bars in connection with a drug scam involving the illegal distribution of millions of doses of “medically unnecessary” opioids.

Francisco Patino of Michigan, more commonly referred to as Frank Patino, has also been ordered (per a local report from WDIV-TV) to pay $30 million in restitution for his part in the massive scam. In a recent news release from the Department of Justice, Patino was noted as being one of 22 total defendants who have all been sentenced for the scam, which is said to have ended with more than $250 million in false claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and similar insurance programs.

In the words of Luis Quesada, the Assistant Director of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Patino “preyed upon patients seeking treatment for addiction and pocketed the profits.”

During trial, it was revealed that Patino, among other things, played what prosecutors described as “a critical role” in the rollout of a shots-for-pills pain clinic scheme. In short, the agreement was that patients would be given “unnecessary back injections.” In exchange, they would then be given prescriptions for “medically unnecessary and additive opioids.”

Put another way, this means that patients were being prescribed opioids even when they didn’t actually need them, with subsequent addictions leading to more money for those behind the scam. Patino, meanwhile, has continued to claim his innocence in connection with the case.

Complex has reached out to his current lawyer for comment. As reports this week pointed out, Patino is seeking another trial in the case, notably after a prior similar effort was denied by a judge.