Date: 09-04-2018

Case Style:

Case Number:

Judge: Cathy Bissoon

Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (Allegheny County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Robert S. Cessar and Michael L. Ivory

Defendant's Attorney: Efrem Grail and Brian Bevan

Description: Pittsburgh, PA - Suboxone Clinic Doctor Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Dispensing Controlled Substances, Health Care Fraud

A prescribing physician with SKS Associates, an opioid treatment facility located in Johnstown, PA, guilty in federal court to charges of dispense and distribution of controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and health care fraud,.

Dr. Michael Cash, 50, of Indiana, PA pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Cash conspired to create and submit unlawful prescriptions for buprenorphine, and then unlawfully dispensed those controlled substances to other persons. Cash also committed health care fraud by submitting fraudulent claims to Medicare, for payments to cover the costs of the unlawfully prescribed buprenorphine.

Judge scheduled sentencing for January 17, 2019 at 2:15 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1,500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Cash on bond

The investigation leading to the filing of charges in this case was conducted by the Western Pennsylvania Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit, which combines personnel and resources from the following agencies to combat the growing prescription opioid epidemic: Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, United States Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office – Criminal Division, Civil Division and Asset Forfeiture Unit, Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General, Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Licensing.

Charges:

21:841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(E)(i); 18:2 UNLAWFULLY DISPENSING AND DISTRIBUTING A SCHEDULE III CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
(1)
21:846 CONSPIRACY TO UNLAWFULLY DISPENSE OR DISTRIBUTE SCHEDULE III CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
(2)
18:1347 AND 2 HEALTH CARE FRAUD
(3)

Outcome: 08/31/2018 10 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Cathy Bissoon: Waiver & Plea Hearing as to MICHAEL CASH held on 8/31/2018 (Court Reporter: Deborah Rowe) Waiver signed; Defendant pleads guilty to counts 1,2,3, sentence to follow. $10,000 unsecured bond posted. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Plea Agreement) (jhi) (Entered: 08/31/2018)
08/31/2018 11 Sealed Sentencing Supplement as to MICHAEL CASH, filed in accordance with the Court's Standing Order at Miscellaneous No. 17-447. (jhi) (Entered: 08/31/2018)
08/31/2018 12 WAIVER OF INDICTMENT by MICHAEL CASH. (jhi) (Entered: 08/31/2018)
08/31/2018 13 GUILTY PLEA ENTERED on Counts 1,2,3 as to MICHAEL CASH. (jhi) (Entered: 08/31/2018)
08/31/2018 14 Unsecured Bond Entered as to MICHAEL CASH in amount of $10,000. (jhi) (Entered: 08/31/2018)
08/31/2018 15 PRESENTENCE ORDER as to MICHAEL CASH: Tentative Presentence Report due by 11/21/2018. Presentence Report due by 12/13/2018. Position with Respect to Sentencing Factors due by 12/20/2018. Presentence Report Addendum due to this Court, Defendant and counsel by 1/3/2019. Supplemental Information or Memorandum with Respect to Sentencing due by 1/10/2019. Sentencing is set for 1/17/2019 at 2:15 PM in Courtroom 3A before Judge Cathy Bissoon. Signed by Judge Cathy Bissoon on 8/31/19. (rdl) (Entered: 08/31/2018)
08/31/2018 16 Special Assessment Paid by MICHAEL CASH $300.00, receipt number 24668051753 (dm) (Entered: 09/04/2018)

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: