Theodore Obermeyer, the manager of a pain clinic in the George network of pill mills, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Joey Bartolucci. Bartolucci was 24 when he overdosed on pain pills. Obermeyer pleaded guilty to one count each of second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit drug trafficking. Under the plea agreement, Obermeyer’s potential prison sentence will be capped at 20 years.
Obermeyer previously received a 12 year federal prison sentence on charges connected to his part in the pain pill network. Obermeyer is scheduled to begin serving that sentence in April. The judge has scheduled a status hearing for the plea agreement for September.
Both George brothers have been sentenced to prison terms for their part in furthering prescription drug addiction in Florida.
Posts Tagged ‘pain clinic’
Pain Clinic Manager Pleads Guilty
Thursday, January 26th, 2012Lawsuit Filed Against CVS/pharmacy
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012One physician in Orlando is angry about the decision by CVS/pharmacy to not fill pain pill prescriptions from a small group of Florida physicians. The Orlando physician says CVS/pharmacy basically pegged him as a criminal. CVS/pharmacy has more than 700 stores in Florida, and has refused to comment on how or why it compiled the list. Many people, however, have praised CVS/pharmacy for taking a strong position at a time when the fight against prescription drug abuse in Florida is still considered to be at the forefront.
“We have informed a small number of Florida physicians that CVS/pharmacy will no longer fill the prescriptions they write for Schedule II narcotics. While we regret any inconvenience this may cause for our customers, we treat the dispensing of controlled substances with the utmost care and seriousness. CVS/pharmacy is unwavering in its compliance and measures to prevent drug abuse and keep controlled substances out of the wrong hands,” said CVS/pharmacy spokesman Mike DeAngelis.
Dr. Sylvester Hanna owns Wellness Centers USA, an Orlando pain clinic. Hanna filed the defamation suit against CVS/pharmacy, claiming that by Hanna’s placement on the list, CVS/pharmacy is falsely implying that he is acting unethically or illegally.
Florida Authorities Continuing Fight Against Prescription Drug Abuse
Sunday, January 1st, 2012The authorities in Florida are forging ahead with the fight against prescription drug abuse by scrutinizing more pharmacies, physicians and pain clinics.
Federal investigations have revealed several drug trafficking rings in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Authorities are charging pill mills and pharmacies as organized criminal enterprises. Florida has also restricted the permit process required to open new pharmacies in the state.
In November, CVS notified some Florida physicians that its pharmacies will no longer fill their prescriptions for drugs like oxycodone, saying it wanted to “prevent drug abuse and keep controlled substances out of the wrong hands.”
Pill Mill Kingpin’s Sentencing Delayed Six Months
Tuesday, December 20th, 2011Pill mill kingpin Jeff George will not be sentenced for at least another six months on second degree murder charges in the 2009 death of a clinic patient.
George, several of his relatives and others connected to the East Coast Pain Clinic are facing federal charges from “Operation Oxy Alley,” an investigation that involved local and federal drug agents. Florida state prosecutors also charged George and two other people with murder in the death of Joey Bartolucci. The 24-year-old was found dead with half-filled prescriptions for Xanax and Dilaudid prescribed by one of East Coast Pain Clinic’s physicians.
George pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors in exchange for a plea agreement that made his potential prison sentence at a maximum of twenty years. Now George will not be sentenced until June of 2012.
More Pleas In George Pill Mill Case
Friday, November 11th, 2011Chris George, his wife Dianna Pavnick George and his mother Denice Haggerty all pleaded guilty for their role in one of the biggest illegal drug networks in this country’s history. George and his wife have a four-month-old daughter who has never seen her father wearing anything besides prison clothes.
Chris George pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit racketeering and now faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced on Feb. 3. His wife and mother each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Both women face possible five years in prison and $250,000 when they are sentenced next year.
George’s twin brother, Jeff, pleaded guilty last month in federal court to a charge of second-degree murder in the death of a patient at one of his South Florida pain clinics. He also pleaded guilty in a charge of trafficking pain pills and is cooperating with federal investigators in the case against his brother. The George brothers ran a $40 million dollar pain clinic empire.
More Pleas In George Pill Mill Case
Friday, November 11th, 2011Chris George, his wife Dianna Pavnick George and his mother Denice Haggerty all pleaded guilty for their role in one of the biggest illegal drug networks in this country’s history. George and his wife have a four-month-old daughter who has never seen her father wearing anything besides prison clothes.
Chris George pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit racketeering and now faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced on Feb. 3. His wife and mother each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Both women face possible five years in prison and $250,000 when they are sentenced next year.
George’s twin brother, Jeff, pleaded guilty last month in federal court to a charge of second-degree murder in the death of a patient at one of his South Florida pain clinics. He also pleaded guilty in a charge of trafficking pain pills and is cooperating with federal investigators in the case against his brother. The George brothers ran a $40 million dollar pain clinic empire.