Former Pittsburgh-area Doctor Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Prescribing Opioids, Health Care Fraud and Money Laundering | USAO-WDPA

PITTSBURGH – A former medical doctor pleaded guilty to drug diversion, health fraud and money laundering in suburban Pittsburgh in connection with his holistic medical practice in suburban Pittsburgh today, U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman said today.

Andrzej Kazimierz Zielke, 66, from Allison Park, Pennsylvania 15101 (Hampton) confessed to senior US District Judge Nora. Barry Fischer guilty of unlawful supply and distribution of List II controlled substances, one health fraud and one money laundering case,

In connection with the admission of guilt, the court was informed that Zielke is owned by Medical Frontiers, LLC, an alleged pain management practice in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania. On or about October 3, 2017, May 25, 2017, October 3, 2017, and December 17, 2014, Zielke knowingly distributed List II drugs, including oxycodone, methadone, hydrocodone, and oxymorphone, to four patients outside of the professional practice course and not for a legitimate medical purpose. Zielke has committed health fraud by fraudulently making Medicaid claims for payments to cover the cost of illegally prescribed drugs. Finally, Zielke broke federal money laundering laws when he arranged for about $ 150,000 in proceeds from his illicit drug trafficking to be transferred from a bank account to Kitco Metals, Inc. in Canada to purchase silver and collector coins.

“We are intensely focused on curbing the supply of illicit opioids to our communities, whether the street corner vendors are trading or using their doctor’s oath by prescribing pain medication for no legitimate medical reason,” said acting US Attorney Kaufman. “We will continue our critical work to prosecute anyone fueling our nation’s ongoing opioid crisis.”

“Mr. Zielke has created a lucrative program that sells opioids for a profit while undermining our healthcare system with fraudulent billing,” said Mike Nordwall, Special Envoy for the Pittsburgh FBI. “Unethical, corrupt doctors who choose to fill their pockets run will increase the cost of medical care for everyone. The FBI is committed to holding accountable those who believe they will not be caught. “

“Andrzej Zielke ruthlessly smuggled opioids into the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, fueling the height of the epidemic that kills 13 Pennsylvanians every day,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “We are working closely with our federal partners to address this crisis that continues to destroy families and communities in Pennsylvania.”

Judge Fisher scheduled the conviction for November 1, 2021. The law provides for a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $ 500,000.00 fine, or both for the controlled substance offenses. Zielke faces an additional maximum 10 years per charge and a $ 250,000.00 fine for health fraud charges; and a maximum penalty of 10 years per charge and a US $ 250,000.00 fine for money laundering offenses. According to federal constitutional guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based on the seriousness of the offense and the criminal record of the accused, if any. According to the Federal Constitutional Guidelines, the penalty actually imposed depends on the gravity of the crime and, if applicable, the criminal record of the accused.

Until the verdict was pronounced, the court continued Zielke on bail.

Assistant Attorney General Robert S. Cessar and Attorney General Summer Carroll of the Pennsylvania Attorney General are pursuing this case on behalf of the government.

The investigation that led to the filing of charges in this case was conducted by the Western Pennsylvania Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit (OFADU). The Western Pennsylvania OFADU, led by federal attorneys from the US Attorney General, pools the expertise and resources of federal and state law enforcement agencies to address the role of unethical medical professionals in the opioid epidemic. The agencies that make up OFADU in western Pennsylvania include: Federal Bureau of Investigation, US Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Pennsylvania Office Attorney General – Bureau of Narcotic Investigations, United States Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Attorney General – Criminal Division, Civil Division and Asset Forfeiture Unit, Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General, Food and Drug Administration- Office of Criminal Investigations, USA Office of Personnel Management – Office of Inspector General and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Licensing.