A New York pharmacist pleaded guilty to distributing and possessing oxycodone, the intent to distribute the opioid and nine counts of filing false tax returns.
Daniel Russo did not report about $1 million of his earnings, which was mostly gained from the opioid scheme, according to a Feb. 17 news release from the Justice Department.
From 2011 to 2014, Mr. Russo conspired with medical professionals to fill hundreds of fraudulent oxycodone prescriptions at his New York City-based pharmacy, sold them for cash and did not report the earnings on his tax returns between 2013 and 2016, the Justice Department said. He faces up to 20 years in prison.
More than a dozen physicians have been charged in connection with this scheme, through which alleged offenders have raked in at least $24 million.
In the release, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace called Mr. Russo "a drug dealer in a white coat."