Clinton County Doctor Pleads Guilty To Illegal Distribution Of Controlled Substances

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Dr. Michael L. Cummings, 63, a family practitioner in Albany, Kentucky, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, March 18, 2019, to 13 counts of prescribing controlled substances without any legitimate medical purpose and outside the course of professional medical practice, announced First Assistant United States Attorney Michael A. Bennett.

According to the plea agreement, between May 7, 2012 and April 1, 2014, Cummings prescribed Oxycodone and OxyContin, a Schedule II controlled substance, and alprazolam and zolpidem tartrate, Schedule IV controlled substances, to S.F. without any legitimate medical purpose and outside the course of medical practice.

Between May 14, 2012 and February 10, 2014, Cummings prescribed hydrocodone, a Schedule III controlled substance, Valium, and diazepam, a Schedule IV controlled substance, to S.C., without any legitimate medical purpose and outside the course of professional medical practice.

Cummings prescribed Oxycodone and Endocet, Schedule II controlled substances, hydrocodone, a Schedule III controlled substance, and alprazolam, a Schedule IV controlled substance, to J.S. between June 18, 2012 and November 5, 2014, without any legitimate medical purpose and outside the course of professional medical practice.

Between January 30, 2013 and April 15, 2015, Cummings prescribed hydrocodone polistirex, a Schedule II and Schedule III controlled substance, and alprazolam and phentermine, Schedule IV controlled substances, to J.Y., without any legitimate medical purpose and outside the course of professional medical practice.

Cummings prescribed Oxycodone and Endocet, Schedule II controlled substances, hydrocodone, a Schedule III controlled substance, and alprazolam and diazepam, Schedule IV controlled substances, to C.C. between May 1, 2012 and February 27, 2015, without any legitimate medical purpose and outside the course of professional medical practice.

The charges Cummings pleaded guilty to carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 145 years, a combined maximum fine of $7.25 million, and 3 years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for June 19, 2019, before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Greg N. Stivers.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Weiser and Ann Marie Blaylock, and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kentucky State Police.