CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Huntington doctor pleaded guilty Thursday for promoting the illegal distribution of opioid medication.
Dr. John Pellegrini, D.O., 64, admitted to writing illegal prescriptions while working at the Beckley HOPE Clinic between November 2010 and October 31, 2012. He also said he understood the main purpose of the facility was to provide opioid prescriptions to patients on a monthly basis.
The medications were typically oxycodone and oxycodone-based narcotics.
According to U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart, Pellegrini also said he wrote prescriptions even after customers screened positive for control substances other than what was previously provided. He also admitted he and his co-conspirators did not create any meaningful treatment plans, that he did not have any specialized training in pain management and he was encouraged to write opioid prescriptions by a clinic manager.
Pellegrini said he wrote at least 98 prescriptions for illegitimate purposes.
He will be sentenced Aug. 8 and faces 20 years in prison.