BECKLEY, W.Va. -- A McDowell County, West Virginia physician was sentenced today to twelve months in prison and fined $5,000 for aiding and abetting another person in illegally obtaining hydrocodone. Robert H. Bendy, Jr., M.D., a medical doctor primarily practicing in Maybeury, McDowell County, West Virginia, pleaded guilty in November 2009 to a one-count Information charging him with the Federal offense. According to court documents, Dr. Bendy illegally issued prescriptions to a patient without an office visit, examination, or interview, and outside the bounds of medical practice.

The conviction stems from a joint investigation conducted by the West Virginia State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The investigation revealed that Dr. Bendy issued prescriptions for hydrocodone to married patients ("B.S." and "E.S.") at Bendy's Maybeury clinic. In February 2006, B.S. was incarcerated. On two occasions in April and May 2006, Bendy issued prescriptions for hydrocodone to B.S., who was still incarcerated, and provided the prescriptions to her husband, E.S. When B.S. became aware that Dr. Bendy had illegally issued and provided the prescriptions to her husband, she contacted law enforcement authorities.

Subsequently, E.S., working at the direction of law enforcement, obtained two additional prescriptions in the name of his incarcerated wife from Dr. Bendy. When questioned by investigators, Dr. Bendy admitted he had issued prescriptions to B.S. without examining or interviewing her, and outside the bounds of normal medical practice.

The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Monica K. Schwartz.

 

Return to Top