2 Physicians Convicted of Illegally Distributing Opioids at Pill Mill

Friday, March 24, 2017 | 0

After eight days of deliberation, a federal jury in Detroit found two physicians guilty of distributing opioids at a pill mill that generated $4.5 million in revenue over four years.

Anthony Conrardy, 61, and William McCutchen III, 46, worked at The Meghnot Comprehensive Center for Hope in the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area. A multi-year federal investigation determined that the clinic was a pill mill that charged patients $250 in cash for a 30-day supply of narcotics, prosecutors said.

Its owner, Lillian "Bubbie" Meghnot, 86, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy, health care fraud and money laundering charges. Former clinic physician Sharadchandra Patel, 72, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges.

Both guilty pleas were entered before the trial of Conrardy and McCutchen, which concluded with Tuesday's conviction. During the four-week trial before U.S. District Judge Arthur Tarnow, prosecutors argued that the physicians wrote prescriptions to drug seekers for no medical reason in exchange for cash. 

Conrardy was convicted of five counts of illegally distributing oxycodone and hydromorphone. McCutchen was convicted of four counts of illegally distributing oxycodone.

Each count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Eastern District of Michigan, which announced the convictions Wednesday.