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Press Release

Beckley physician pleads guilty to Federal drug crime and health care fraud

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of West Virginia

BECKLEY, W.Va. - Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto announced today that Jose Jorge Abbud Gordinho, M.D., of Beckley, pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally prescribing the pain medication hydrocodone. Dr. Gordinho also pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare and Medicaid by submitting materially false claims for medical services that were not medically necessary.

Dr. Gordinho admitted that he routinely prescribed pain pills for illegitimate purposes and in a manner that was outside the bounds of medical practice. Dr. Gordinho further admitted that he defrauded Medicare and Medicaid when he sought and received payment for office visits, services, and prescriptons related to his illegal prescribing practices.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger set Dr. Gordinho’s sentencing for April 26, 2016, in Beckley. Dr. Gordinho faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a $1,250,000 fine, and restitution to Medicare and Medicaid. Additionally, as part of the plea agreement, he will permanently surrender his DEA Certificate of Registration, ensuring that he will no longer be permitted to prescribe controlled substances.

This case was investigated by the West Virginia State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

This case is part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of pills and heroin in communities across the Southern District. 

Updated January 7, 2016

Topics
Drug Trafficking
Health Care Fraud