Doctor From Carmi, Illinois Pleads Guilty to Charges of Illegal Dispensation of Controlled Substance

The United States Attorney´s Office for the Southern District of Illinois announced today that on September 10, 2009, in the United States District Court in Benton, Dr. HUNG T. NGUYEN, 57, of Carmi, pled guilty to three counts of illegally dispensing controlled substances. Dr. NGUYEN dispensed Hydrocodone to undercover officers posing as patients at his healthcare clinic in Norris City. Dr. NGUYEN did so outside the scope of his professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. Dr. NGUYEN faces penalties of a maximum of five years´ imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both. Sentencing is scheduled for December 16, 2009.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Illinois State Police, Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau; and the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Liam Coonan.

If you suspect or know of an individual or company that is not complying with healthcare laws or public aid programs, you may report this activity to the local office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, or call 1.800.447.8477.