NEWS RELEASE
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
WESTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
Julia C. Dudley United States Attorney Brian McGinn Public Affairs Specialist |
BB&T Building 310 1st Street, S.W., Room 906 Roanoke, Virginia 24011 (540) 857-2974 FAX (540) 857-2179 |
April 28, 2009
RICHLANDS DOCTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG AND TAX CHARGES
Roy C. Gomez Admits to Illegally Obtaining Drugs and Hiding Foreign Bank Accounts
United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley announced today that Roy C. Gomez, age 65, of Richlands, Virginia, pled guilty today in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Abingdon to obtaining controlled substances by misrepresentation, making false statements on tax returns and failing to file reports of his foreign bank accounts.
“The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to prosecute medical professionals who abuse their knowledge of the medical system and their positions of trust,” United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley said today. “Doctors that take an oath to protect their patients and then turn around and act criminally will be prosecuted for their crimes.”
Gomez, a licensed physician, entered his guilty pleas pursuant to a plea agreement. As part of the plea agreement, Gomez agreed to surrender his medical license and never practice medicine again. He also agreed to forfeit $600,000.00 to the United States.
Gomez admitted to acquiring and obtaining Androgel (testosterone gel), a Schedule III controlled substance, by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery and deception. On June 26, 2008, the defendant issued a prescription for Androgel in the name of a patient (without the patient’s knowledge), had the prescription filled by a third person, and took possession of the controlled substance. The Androgel was found by the Virginia State Police during a search of Gomez’s home.
For the tax years, 2005 and 2006, Gomez willfully failed to indicate on his income tax returns (Forms 1040), that he had bank accounts overseas. He also failed to file a Form TD F 90-22.1 (“Report of Foreign Bank And Financial Accounts”). A person is required to file a Form TD F 90.22.1 by June 30 of each year if, during the prior calendar year, the person had a financial interest in or signature or other authority over any financial accounts, in a foreign country, when the aggregate value of those accounts exceeded $10,000.00 at any time during the previous calendar year. Gomez transferred more than $100,000.00 to foreign accounts during the time period set forth in the charging document.
At sentencing, scheduled for July 20, 2009, Gomez faces a statutory maximum penalty of 17 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $1,000,000. The sentencing guidelines, in all likelihood, will recommend a sentence substantially less than the statutory maximum.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Virginia State Police, and the Richlands Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Randy Ramseyer is prosecuting the case for the United States.