Former Doctor Sentenced In White Plains Federal Court To 18 Months In Prison For Selling Oxycodone Prescriptions

   Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James Hunt, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), George P. Beach II, the Superintendent of the New York State Police (“NYSP”), George N. Longworth, Commissioner of the Westchester County Police Department, and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) announced that FREDERICK WEINTRAUB was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for illegally selling Oxycodone prescriptions for cash.  WEINTRAUB was a podiatrist who wrote and sold multiple prescriptions for Oxycodone, an opiate and controlled substance.  WEINTRUAB pled guilty on August 5, 2016, to one count of distributing an illegal controlled substance.  He was sentenced today in White Plains federal court by U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth M. Karas.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said:  “Illegally diverted prescription opiates feed the vicious cycle of addiction and abuse that is devastating too many of our communities.  As a doctor, Frederick Weintraub was supposed to care for the health of his patients, not help fuel the country’s most acute health crisis.”

Special Agent in Charge James Hunt said:  “A doctor selling prescriptions for cash in a hotel parking lot is a drug dealer perpetuating one of America’s #1 health threats - opioid abuse.   Through invaluable collaboration with members of the TDS and law enforcement partners, this opioid supplier is off the streets and faces 18 months in jail.” 

Superintendent George P. Beach II said:  “Oxycodone is a highly addictive, often abused medication.  By illegally selling prescriptions for these painkillers, Frederick Weintraub put the community he served at risk. I applaud the hard work of the members involved in this investigation. Together we will continue the fight to keep drugs off our streets and to prevent prescription drug abuse.”

Commissioner George N. Longworth said:  “The successful investigation into Frederick Weintraub is just the latest example of the great partnership that exists among federal, state, county, and local law enforcement in our region. The Westchester County Police remains firmly committed to continuing our participation in these joint task forces. They are a critical way to combat the distribution and sale of illegal narcotics in our communities.”

According to the Complaint and Information filed in White Plains federal court, as well as statements made in connection with the plea and sentencing proceedings:

Weintraub was a podiatrist whose medical license was permanently suspended in 2014.  Following this suspension, Weintraub began illegally selling prescriptions for controlled substances in exchange for cash.  Between November 2015 and January 2016, Weintraub sold at least seven prescriptions for Oxycodone, at prices ranging between $500 and $700 per prescription, to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement.  This individual made recordings of several purchases and provided the prescriptions he purchased to law enforcement.   Each sale took place in Weintraub’s car, which was parked in the lot of a Rockland County hotel, and had no connection to any medical examination.  During these sales, Weintraub negotiated prices and attempted to arrange a long-term relationship with the customer in which Weintraub would provide weekly Oxycodone prescriptions to the customer, who would then fill the prescriptions and resell the pills at a premium.

In addition to his prison term Weintraub, 65, of Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, was sentenced to two years of supervised release. 

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad, which comprises agents and officers from the DEA, the NYPD, the New York State Police, Town of Orangetown Police Department, Rockland County Drug Task Force, Westchester County Police Department, and New York City Department of Investigation.  In addition, Mr. Bharara thanked the Town of Montvale Police Department and Town of New Windsor Police Department for their assistance on this investigation.

The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Maurene Comey is in charge of the case.