Chicago doctor Paul Volkman gets life sentence in deadly "pill mill" case

By: Barry Leibowitz
Topics: Daily Blotter

(Credit: iStockPhoto)

(CBS/AP) COLUMBUS, Ohio - A federal judge in Ohio has sentenced lllinois doctor Paul H. Volkman to four life terms in prison for his conviction in the drug overdose deaths of four patients.

U.S. District Court Judge Sandra Beckwith imposed the sentences Tuesday in Cincinnati, along with sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years on 13 other drug-trafficking related counts.

Federal prosecutors say Volkman dispensed more of the painkiller oxycodone from 2003 to 2005 than any other physician in the country.

"Volkman was the physician at the center of a criminal scheme to distribute millions of controlled substances to hundreds of individuals in exchange for cash - a scheme that brought addiction, diversion and death to southeastern Ohio and beyond," Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tim Oakley and Adam Wright wrote in a sentencing memorandum filed with the court.

In a news release, the US Attorney's Office in southern Ohio said, "Evidence presented during the trial showed that Volkman prescribed and dispensed millions of dosages of various drugs including diazepam, hydrocodone, oxycodone, alprazolam and carisoprodol."

Prosecutors say Volkman made weekly trips from Chicago to three locations in Portsmouth in southern Ohio and one in Chillicothe in central Ohio before federal investigators shut down the operations in 2006.

The 64-year-old Volkman maintains his innocence and had demanded the judge release him immediately.

More on Crimesder
May 11, 2011 - "Pill-Mill" doctor Paul Volkman convicted in four fatal overdoses in Ohio, facing 20 years

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by gininbama40 February 16, 2012 9:02 AM EST: I dont understand how the doctor had access to dispense all those pills..i mean sure the drug reps do leave samples in the office but I didnt know doctors had access that many pills...anyway send to life in prison; Reply to this comment

by legalbutnotjust February 15, 2012 7:07 AM EST

This is a doctor who could not possibly have done these crimes without being in a conspiracy with others. So where are all the Big Pharma execs and drug reps that worked with this guy? Why aren't those thugs standing in front of the judge, wearing their suits and ties, gettin' their butts handed to them with a stiff sentence (all while their spouses sit in the gallery sobbing)?

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by happyhello50 February 15, 2012 9:23 AM EST: I use to work in a pain clinic, it was horrible! I am sooo glad that these selfish doctors are finally getting stopped!


by askagain February 15, 2012 2:20 AM EST: It is one thing when a patient dies after a doctor provides good medical care but another thing when a doctor runs a pill mill. Some people are simply motivated by greed.; Reply to this comment


by brianbwb2015 February 15, 2012 1:47 AM EST: But...but... He's a job creator!!! (sniff, sniff); Reply to this comment


by rwsmith29456 February 14, 2012 9:18 PM EST: What a rat for a doctor.; Reply to this comment

by Big-Daddy-Kahuna February 14, 2012 2:39 PM EST

*** The 64-year-old Volkman maintains his innocence and had demanded the judge release him immediately. ***

And good luck with that Mr. Volkman!

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by happyhello50 February 15, 2012 9:27 AM EST: I agree! Why would a person spend so much time in Medical school and earn a degree to just throw it away for selfishness and greed! There are plenty more of these Drs that should be in front of judges. There is so much insurance fraud going on due to greed also! Keep up the good work Mike DeWine! We need you!