Ex-Doctor’s Office Manager Pleads Guilty for Role in Illegal Oxycodone Distribution, Health Care Fraud, and Money Laundering Scheme and for Stealing Social Security Benefits

PITTSBURGH, PA - A former office manager for a licensed physician pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of conspiracy to district oxycodone, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy launder money, and theft of public money, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Marcia Ramsier Arthurs, 62, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy launder money, and theft of public money before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from March 26, 2015 to June 22, 2018, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, Arthurs conspired to distribute oxycodone, conspired to commit health care fraud, and conspired to launder money. In addition, from October 2012 to July 2018, Arthurs unlawfully obtained benefits from the Social Security Administration in that she provided false information about her living and financial arrangements with her co-defendant.

Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for September 9, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Arthurs’ co-defendant, former physician Paul Hoover, pleaded guilty and was sentenced in October 2019 to 11 years and four months in prison on his conviction for conspiracy to illegally distribute oxycodone, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and Social Security fraud.

Assistant United States Attorneys Cindy K. Chung and Rachael L. Mamula are prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

The investigation that led to the prosecution of Arthurs was conducted by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, U.S. Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Social Security Administration.

The investigation leading to the filing of charges in this case was conducted by the Western Pennsylvania Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit, which combines personnel and resources from the following agencies to combat the growing prescription opioid epidemic: Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, United States Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office – Criminal Division, Civil Division and Asset Forfeiture Unit, Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General, Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Licensing.