Keith Hughes, an orthopedic surgeon whose medical license was revoked in 2021, was sentenced to five years of probation on Aug. 2 for writing fraudulent prescriptions and buying back thousands of painkillers from a patient, the Lincoln Journal Star reported.
In July 2020, Mr. Hughes was arrested on allegations that he had used a patient to obtain oxycodone for his personal use in exchange for cash or services, such as food, sports memorabilia and clothing, according to the Aug. 3 report.
Mr. Hughes and the patient in question were both indicted, entered guilty pleas and were sentenced to probation. Mr. Hughes was also hit with a $20,000 fine, and the patient received a $1,000 fine.
The surgeon, who previously practiced at Lincoln-based Nebraska Foot and Ankle, wrote 63 prescriptions for more than 4,200 pills for the patient between 2018 and 2020, according to the report.