Two men have pleaded guilty to illegally prescribing and distributing drugs to drug dealers and addicts, federal officials say. Getty Images | Royalty free
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A former gynecologist and pharmacist illegally sold and distributed prescriptions to drug addicts in Georgia, federal authorities say.
Anthony Mills, 56, who was a gynecologist, and Raphael Ogunsusi, who owned Evansmill Pharmacy and Retox Pharmacy, pleaded guilty to operating a “pill mill” in the Atlanta area, according to an Oct. 5 press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
Court documents show they were charged with multiple counts of Unlawful Delivery and Distribution of a Controlled Substance and Aiding and Abetting.
From at least October 2018 through July 2020, Mills and Ogunsusi worked together and with several others to prescribe and distribute prescription drugs to drug dealers and addicts, the release said.
Mills’ specialty was listed by the state medical board as “gynecology,” but he did not practice, court documents said. Instead, Mills operated at home, writing prescriptions without obtaining any medical records, performing exams, or establishing a patient-physician relationship.
Despite his specialty, most of the “patients” Mills served were men. In addition, court documents say some of the prescriptions were issued to individuals who had been stolen or to people who had died or were incarcerated.
Most of the prescriptions issued by Mills were filled by Ogunsusi, who knew about the pill mill, officials said. Ogunsusi accepted large cash payments in exchange for carrying out illegal orders. He and others falsified pricing information on their pharmacy’s computers to hide the wildly inflated prices.
His pharmacies were in Stonecrest and Conyers, two towns more than 20 miles southeast of Atlanta.
According to officials, Ogunsusi also required “patients” to buy other additional non-controlled substances called “Shebang” to maximize his profits from illegal distribution.
According to officials, Ogunsusi used the money to buy a plane. He also pleaded guilty to money laundering from that purchase.
Among the drugs prescribed and sold were oxycodone, Percocet and promethazine with codeine, court documents show.
“Dispensing addictive pain relievers under the guise of medical care has nothing to do with the welfare of society or the specific health needs of individuals—it’s greed.” —Robert J. Murphy, DEA special agent in Atlanta Field Division said.
Mills will be sentenced on February 7, 2023. Ogunsusi does not yet have a sentencing date. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against eight more accused, the report says.
Neither Mills’ attorneys nor Ogunsusi’s immediately responded to McClatchy’s request for comment.