Lafayette Medical Clinic Owner Pleads Guilty To Bogus Prescription Drug Scheme

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Gloria Adams, 63, of LaPlace, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Hanna for her part in a conspiracy to sell and fill prescriptions without doctor supervision.

According to the Stipulated Factual Basis at the guilty plea, Adams, who is not a doctor, opened Essential Medical Center (EMC) in Lafayette November 2005. She admitted to conspiring to dispense Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) such as Xanax and Lortab when no doctors were present at the clinic through a system called “pre-signing.” Pre-signing took place at the clinic when some non-physician staff used pre-signed documents to dispense prescriptions to patients while doctors were absent. She also admitted that she aided and abetted the practice of dispensing CDS outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. Adams also admitted to using $15, 917 in proceeds derived from the illegal sale of controlled substances to engage in a monetary transaction through a financial institution.

Adams pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful dispensing of controlled substances and one count of money laundering. Each count carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Adams is scheduled to appear Aug. 8, 2013, for sentencing before U.S. District Court Judge Elizabeth E. Foote in Lafayette. Adams was indicted with co-defendants Dr. Kasimu Moody, Dr. Toland Ash, and Patrick Smith on May 12, 2011.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)/Office of Diversion Control and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy is prosecuting the case.