'Pill Mill' Doctors Successfully Challenge Conviction for Conspiracy to Violate Anti-Kickback Law

Two doctors who ran an Alabama pill mill have successfully challenged part of their sentence, with the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals vacating their convictions for conspiracy to violate the federal anti-kickback statute. Case: U.S. v. Ruan, No. 17-12653, 07/10/2020, published. Facts: In April 2015, an Alabama grand jury indicted Xiulu Ruan and John Patrick Couch on charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Both were board-certified doctors specializing in pain management. They co-owned a medical clinic, Physicians Pain Special...