Ohio physician sentenced to nearly five years for fraudulently distributing controlled substances

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Dr. Tod Hagins, of Wintersville, Ohio, was sentenced today to 57 months incarceration for writing fraudulent prescriptions to be sold on the streets from his Weirton, West Virginia practice, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

“This case should send a clear message to all those who practice medicine that neither their medical license nor their white lab coat will protect them from enormous consequences of illegal drug distribution and medical fraud.  This doctor violated both our laws and his solemn oath as a physician.  He will now pay for those violations.” said Powell.

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” in April 2018.

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.

Hagans was also ordered to pay $130,160 in a money judgement, and pay $809.62 in restitution.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner prosecuted 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.