For 35 years, we at Chapman Law Group have represented physicians, pain management specialists, and other licensed healthcare professionals in national white-collar criminal law and government investigations. We are one of the few law firms in America who can lay claim to that.
Yet, every so often we see news about criminal law matters that come from the other side.
Such is the case with a special agent from the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”), who is facing charges for his role in guarding an illegal opioid distribution system — all while serving on the South Florida Health Care Fraud Strike Force.
Alberico Ahias Crespo is accused of conspiring to distribute Oxycodone, obstruct justice, and make false statements to the FBI over a 10-month period starting September 2019.
“Crespo allegedly used his position as an agent to both advance the drug distribution crimes and impede related federal health care fraud investigations, including investigations on which Crespo himself worked,” according to a July 22, 2020, statement from the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.
In the case, Crespo, 45, is suspected to have protected Jorge Diaz Gutierrez, 65, who is accused of recruiting patients and sending them to medical clinics to obtain Oxycodone prescriptions. Agents said patients would then give the prescriptions to Diaz in exchange for money, while Diaz would allegedly fill the prescriptions at certain pharmacies and then sell the opioids to third-party street dealers at a markup.
According to the affidavit, Crespo is alleged to have been “monitoring Strike Force investigations involving Diaz, accessing and disclosing sensitive law enforcement information to Diaz, updating Diaz on the progress of health care fraud investigations, and coaching Diaz on how to lie to investigators and tamper with evidence.”
The narcotics and obstruction charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, while the materially false statements charge carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.
We in Chapman Law Group’s White Collar Defense & Government Investigations practice group are quite familiar with such serious charges. As national criminal defense healthcare lawyers, we have represented hundreds of physicians, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals accused of running “pill mills” and drug diversion, among other criminal offenses.
But if you are a government official who is facing indictment for matters similar to Crespo’s, we offer vertical representation and provide the same zealous advocacy as with all our other clients.
For more than three decades and running, we’ve built a reputation for providing top legal service for licensed healthcare professionals across the U.S. Our four national healthcare defense law offices are in Detroit, Michigan; Miami and Sarasota, Florida; and Los Angeles/Southern California. Contact us today to learn more about our broad array of national healthcare defense.
"*" indicates required fields
Ronald W. Chapman II, LL.M.
Shareholder
Chairperson of White Collar Defense & Government Investigations
Michigan Office
1441 W. Long Lake Road, Suite 310
Troy, MI 48098
Phone: (248) 644-6326
If You Run a Pharmacy, Are a Pain Management Specialist, or Prescribe Prescription Narcotics, the DEA, Feds Are Waiting to Strike. Our Healthcare Criminal Law
Michigan OFFICE
1441 W Long Lake Road
Suite 310
Troy, MI 48098
T. 248.644.6326
F. 248.644.6324
CALIFORNIA OFFICE
5250 Lankershim Blvd.
Ste. 500
North Hollywood, CA 91601
T. (818) 287-0576
FLORIDA OFFICES
6841 Energy Court
Suite 120
Sarasota, FL 34240
T. 941.893.3449
701 Waterford Way
Suite 340
Miami, FL 33126
T. 305.712.7177
Practice Areas
Attorneys
© CHAPMAN LAW GROUP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
