Philadelphia Pill Mill Doctor Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison
| U.S. Attorney’s Office January 29, 2013 |
PHILADELPHIA—Richard Minicozzi, M.D., 79, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today to seven years in prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and 17 counts of distribution of controlled substances for running a pill mill out of his office located at 731 Morris Street in Philadelphia. Minicozzi was distributing hydrocodone (Vicodin), and alprazolam (Xanax) and was selling prescriptions for oxycodone. Minicozzi ordered the drugs from a supplier and had them shipped to his office in small boxes that he then sold to cash-paying customers who had no legitimate need for the drugs and without a physical examination. Minicozzi and his office assistant, Joan Israel, who previously pleaded guilty, created phony medical records for his drug-buying customers.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge J. Curtis Joyner also ordered three years’ supervised release, a $40,000 fine, and a $1,800 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Philadelphia Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mary Kay Costello.