Ohio Doctor Convicted of Illegal Distribution of Prescription Painkillers

An Ohio doctor was convicted in federal court on Tuesday of illegal distribution of a controlled substance that resulted in the death of four people. Dr. Paul H. Volkman was described by federal authorities as one of the largest dispensers of oxycodone in the nation. He could face life in prison, The New York Times reports.

The article notes that a lifetime sentence for this type of crime would be the first of its kind in the state.

Dr. Volkman faces a minimum of 20 years in prison, The Cincinnati Enquirer states. He will return to U.S. District Court for sentencing later this year.

Prosecutors stated in court documents that, “Many of the prescriptions were outside the scope of medical practice or were not administered for a legitimate medical purpose. On multiple occasions, Volkman’s dosages resulted in the addiction of said patients, overdoses and death.”