Defendant Allegedly Charged Cash for Writing Prescriptions Without Medical Examination

Federal and Suffolk County Police Department narcotics agents and officers today arrested Long Island neurologist Dr. Frank Telang on charges that he illegally distributed oxycodone, a highly addictive prescription medicine, as well as other controlled substances, and then altered evidence to conceal these crimes.¹ The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States District Judge Joseph F. Bianco at the U.S. Courthouse in Central Islip, New York.

The charges and arrest were announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Wilbert L. Plummer, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Commissioner Richard Dormer of the Suffolk County Police Department.

According to the indictment and other government filings, Telang, who maintains offices in Bethpage and Port Jefferson Station, New York, sold prescriptions for oxycodone and other controlled substances to undercover Suffolk County police officers working in conjunction with the DEA between April 13, 2011 and October 20, 2011. In addition, Telang was observed meeting a purported patient at night on December 6, 2011, in a parking lot near the Long Island Expressway to provide controlled substance prescriptions. When approached by law enforcement, Telang crumpled up a prescription he had been holding and attempted to hide it in the door of his vehicle. After Telang was interviewed by law enforcement, he returned to his office in Port Jefferson Station, where he allegedly altered the medical file of this purported patient.

Oxycodone is a scheduled controlled substance that may be dispensed by medical professionals but only for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of a doctor’s professional practice. It is a powerful and highly addictive drug, and is increasingly abused because of its potency when crushed into a powder and ingested, leading to a heroin-like euphoria. In this case, undercover officers obtained prescriptions from the defendant in exchange for cash, without any medical examination being performed .

“Oxycodone is a highly addictive drug, susceptible to abuse if not prescribed only as needed and carefully dispensed. As a doctor, this defendant had an obligation to ‘first, do no harm.’ Instead, he allegedly violated the law and his oath as a medical professional by selling this dangerous drug to anyone who would pay his price,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. “As recent arrests in this district attest, such conduct is becoming increasingly prevalent in our communities. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will vigorously prosecute illegal prescription drug distribution.”

DEA Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Plummer stated, “The abuse of oxycodone and prescription drugs has been on a rise throughout the nation. Law enforcement has worked together not only to enforce the drug laws, but work with our treatment and prevention partners to increase the awareness of the dangers of this addiction. This arrest proves that we are dedicated to investigate those who are charged with illegally diverting prescriptions and medications throughout our community for their own profit.”

“Prescription drug addiction is growing problem, and Dr. Telang allegedly used his position to take advantage of peoples’ addictions for his own financial gain,” said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Dormer. “We will continue our collaborative efforts to hold accountable those who illegally distribute prescription drugs.”

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a $1 million fine.

The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Allen L. Bode.

The Defendant:

Name: FRANK TELANG
Age: 56

 

 

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¹ The charges are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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