Ohio physician admits to fraudulently distributing controlled substances

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Dr. Tod Hagins, of Wintersville, Ohio, has admitted to writing fraudulent prescriptions to be sold on the streets from his Weirton, West Virginia practice, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Hagins, age 52, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances Outside the Bounds of Professional Medical Practice,” one count of “Healthcare Fraud,” and one count of “Money Laundering.”

Hagins operated a general medical practice, as well as the Weirton Suboxone Clinic, on Washington Street in Weirton, West Virginia. Hagins admitted to prescribing oxycodone to several individuals without a legitimate medical purpose to be sold on the streets for a share in the profits. Hagins also admitted to writing the prescriptions for oxycodone in a manner that would allow the individual filling said prescriptions to be paid for by West Virginia Medicaid. As a part of the conspiracy, Hagins deposited $4,000 into a business equity line of credit to be used in the scheme, with the intention of concealing the criminal activity.

Hagins faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the first count, up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the second count, and up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $500,000 for the third count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner Fraud Division; the West Virginia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; the Office of Ohio Attorney General Health Care Fraud Unit; the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Jefferson County, Ohio Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force; and the West Virginia State Police investigated.

Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr., presided.