OHIO ATTORNEY CHARGES Southern Ohio Pain Clinic Attorney Charged With Money Laundering
Reported by: Tiersa Davis
Web Producer: Jeff Morris
Reported: Jan. 18, 2013 12:36 PM EST
Updated: Jan. 18, 2013 3:39 PM EST
Eyewitness News Photo
Columbus
, Ohio
An attorney who represented several alleged pill mill operators in southern Ohio has been charged with money laundering and conspiracy.
Steven E. Hillman, 67, of Dublin, Ohio, was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday. The indictment accuses Hillman of conspiring with three pain clinic owners in Ohio to allegedly launder money from illegal prescription pill sale, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Carter Stewart.
In July 2010, Hillman and pain clinic owner, Tracy Bias, 47, of West Portsmouth allegedly opened Physicians Pharmacy in Piketon, Ohio, to illegally distribute prescription drugs and launder $132,920 in cash, the news release said.
Bias and six doctors were indicted in April 2012 on charges of operating two pill mills in Scioto County and one in Columbus. Customers allegedly traveled hundreds of miles to visit one of the clinics to pay $200 for an office visit, with little or no physical examination, and be prescribed an excessive amount of pain pills, the news release said.
Hillman was charged with conspiracy to distribute drugs outside the scope of legitimate medical practice and money laundering, each punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
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Tiersa Davis
