The Justice Department on Feb. 9 charged orthopedic surgeon Evangelos Megariotis, MD, with 34 counts of illegally prescribing controlled substances to patients.
Five details:
1. Dr. Megariotis is the former owner and operator of Clifton (N.J.) Orthopedic Associates.
2. From November 2016 to February 2018, the surgeon allegedly prescribed drugs such as oxycodone, Xanax and cough syrup with codeine without a legitimate medical purpose.
3. In June, New Jersey officials permanently banned Dr. Megariotis from practicing or prescribing drugs in the state.
4. He also faces federal charges related to the distribution of more than 3.25 million opioid doses in "pill mill" clinics and physician offices throughout the Northeast.
5. If convicted, Dr. Megariotis faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.