Two Florida doctors must begin serving their prison sentences in October, three years after their convictions on money laundering charges related to a chain of Florida pill mills, a federal judge ruled.
Cynthia Cadet must turn herself in to begin serving a 6 1/2 year sentence on Oct. 3, while Joseph Castronuovo was given until Oct. 18 to begin serving his 18-month sentence, because he needs medical treatment. Both had been free on bond since their convictions in July 2013, but U.S. District Judge Kenneth Mara ruled that they must report to prison.
Castronuovo and Cadet were among 32 individuals, including several doctors, who were charged in a large pill mill indictment, targeting a chain of pain management clinics that improperly distributed prescription pain pills such as oxycodone. Castronuovo and Cadet were the only physicians to fight the charges. A Florida jury found the doctors not guilty of most of the counts against them, but guilty of a money laundering conspiracy related to the payments they received for their work at the clinics.
Castronuovo was paid over $160,000 and Cadet was paid over $1.2 million. The two were hired after responding to ads on Craigslist. The doctors signed documents each week before receiving their pay that stated that they did not witness anything illegal take place.
In addition to criminal charges, doctors, pharmacists and others who improperly distribute medications can face civil charges for the harm that they cause. Anyone injured by pharmaceutical negligence should contact an attorney to learn about their rights. You may be entitled to compensation.
