Related Content
Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A family practice physician has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of unlawfully dispensing controlled substances, health care fraud, tampering with a witness and false statements to the government, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The 56-count superseding indictment, returned on Dec. 18, named Milad Shaker, 49, of Greensburg, Pa., as the sole defendant.
According to the superseding indictment, from 2014 to 2017, Shaker, a licensed physician, unlawfully distributed controlled substances, including Vicodin, Percocet, Tramadol and others, in return for sexual favors provided to him either physically or by electronic communication, such as text messaging. Shaker is also charged with health care fraud for causing fraudulent claims to be submitted to Highmark Health Plan and Aetna. The superseding indictment further alleges that Shaker tampered with a witness and was untruthful to agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The law provides for a per count sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000.00, or both, for counts 1-36; five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both on counts 37-52; 20 years in prison and fines of $500,000.00 for counts 53-54; 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines on count 55; and five years in prison and $250,000 fine on count 56. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the superseding indictment in this case.
A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.