CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A grand jury indicted two doctors operating in West Virginia, as well as a business partner, on Tuesday on charges of illegally distributing controlled substances.
Dr. Felix Brizuela Jr., Dr. George Naum and Eric Drake allegedly worked to distribute substances from Advance Healthcare in Weirton from 2008 to 2016.
Brizuela, 61, of Harrison City, Pennsylvania, was indicted on 21 counts of distribution of controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice, one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice and 15 counts of illegal remuneration in violation of the federal anti-kickback program.
He is also accused of illegally distributing oxycodone, oxymorphone, fentanyl and other substances in Monongalia County from 2013 to 2015, and accepting illegal payments in exchange for urine samples for drug testing purposes.
Naum, a 58-year-old Wheeling resident, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice and 10 counts of aiding and abetting that distribution.
Drake, 47, of Weirton, was indicted on a count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice, 10 counts of aiding and abetting the distribution, one count of distribution of a controlled substance and a count of maintaining a drug-involved premises.
Brizuela faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each distribution count against him, up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each conspiracy charge and an additional five years maximum in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. Naum faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine worth up to $250,000 for each count against him. Drake faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 for each of the distribution and conspiracy charges against him, as well as up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 for the drug premises charge.