An Indiana man pleaded guilty in federal court to unlawfully dispensing controlled substances and related crimes through a Johnstown-based opioid treatment facility.
According a news release from US Attorney Scott Brady, 50-year-old Dr. Michael Cash pleaded guilty to the dispensing charge along with charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and health care fraud. Brady said that Cash conspired to create and submit illegal prescriptions for buprenorphine (BYOO-pre-NOR-feen), a drug used to treat opioid addiction. The drug is used for suppressing symptoms of opioid withdrawal, decrease cravings for opioids, reduce illicit opioid use, block the effects of other opioids and help patients stay in treatment for addiction. He would then distribute this drug to other persons. He also committed health care fraud by submitting fraudulent claims to Medicare for payments to cover the cost of the unlawfully prescribed drug.
He remains free on bond at this time, but he is scheduled for sentencing on January 17th at 2:15 PM. He faces a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, a fine of $1.5 million or both. How harsh the sentence is will depend on the seriousness of the offense, and if applicable, any prior criminal history.
