West Virginia physician sentenced for illegally distributing drugs

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Dr. George P. Naum, of Wheeling, West Virginia, was sentenced today to six months incarceration to be followed by two years of supervised release, with the first six months on home confinement, for illegally distributing controlled substances, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

“When you illegally distribute drugs, you must be held accountable. Dr. Naum chose to prey on those most vulnerable, seeking treatment for substance abuse. He chose to further their addiction instead of help, as he was sworn to do. Thank you to the prosecution team, including investigators, who worked hard to bring this case to justice,” said Powell.

After a six-day trial in April 2019, a jury found Naum, guilty of one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances Outside the Bounds of Professional Medical Practice,” and four counts of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Controlled Substances Outside the Bounds of Professional Medical Practice.” He was found not guilty of one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Controlled Substances Outside the Bounds of Professional Medical Practice.” Naum, age 60, conspired with others to illegally distribute controlled substances from a drug treatment center, Advance Healthcare, Inc., in Weirton, West Virginia from 2008 to 2016.

Naum was also ordered to pay $77,063.20 in forfeiture, and to pay a $2500 fine. Naum will have to relinquish his medical license while incarcerated and on supervised release. He is permitted to seek to reinstate his license once his sentence is served. Naum will report for his incarceration on March 9, 2020.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah E. Wagner and Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, WV Offices of the Insurance Commissioner Fraud Division, WV Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Office of Ohio Attorney General Health Care Fraud, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, the Hancock-Brook-Weirton Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the Greater Harrison County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, West Virginia State Police, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, and the Weirton Police Department investigated.

Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.