Bridgeport Doctor Edita Milan Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Unlawful Distribution of Painkillers
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on May 12, 2015 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
From Office of the United State Attorney, Northern District of West Virginia
Dr. Edita Milan, 76, of Fairmont was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for utilizing her Bridgeport medical practice to unlawfully distribute prescription painkillers, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
Milan, who was found to have repeatedly prescribed excessive amounts of prescription painkillers for no legitimate medical reason, will self-report to federal prison on July 13, 2015. According to investigators, patients of Milan were routinely given prescription pills without an adequate physical examination. Additionally, Milan allowed members of her staff to utilize her D.E.A. registration number to prescribe narcotic painkillers outside the standard course of medical practice. Former employees of the doctor’s office as well as an area pharmacist were also convicted in connection with the investigation into Milan’s prescribing practices.
“Physicians and pharmacists play a key role in our efforts to address the drug epidemic in West Virginia,” said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld. “We have to be able to rely upon them to exercise sound judgment and uphold the standard of care that their offices demand. The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to educating medical professionals on the proper prescribing and dispensing of narcotic medications and equally committed to prosecuting those that do not abide by the rules.”
Dr. Milan pled no contest in December 2014 to the following charges:
- One count of “Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises.”
- One count of “Distribution of Schedule III and IV Substances.”
- One count of “Distribution of Schedule II and IV Substances.”
- Two counts of “Distribution of Schedule II Controlled Substances.”
As part of today’s sentence, Milan was also ordered to pay restitution in excess of $3,000.00 to the estate of a patient who died as a result of prescription painkillers distributed by Milan.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys John C. Parr, Andrew Cogar, and Sarah Montoro prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, conducted the investigation. The Bridgeport Police Department has members on the Task Force. Chief John Walker is the chairman.
U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
