PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA) – A local physician has pleaded guilty in federal court to four counts of unlawful dispensing and distributing schedule II controlled substances, one count of health care fraud, and one count of money laundering.
Andrzej Kazimierz Zielke, 66, of Allison Park owned and operated Medical Frontiers, LLC, a pain management practice in Gibsonia.
On four separate dates, Zielke knowingly dispensed and distributed Schedule II drugs, including Oxycodone, Methadone, Hydrocodone, and Oxymorphone, to four patients outside the course of professional practice and not for legitimate medical purpose.
Zielke submitted fraudulent claims to Medicaid for payments to cover the costs of the unlawful prescribed drugs, committing healthcare fraud.
Zielke violated federal money laundering statues when he caused roughly $150,000 in proceeds obtained through his illegal drug distribution to be wired from a bank account to Kitco Metals, Inc. in Canada to purchase silver and collector coins.
“We are intensely focused on stemming the supply of illegal opioids into our communities, regardless of whether the dealers are trafficking on a street corner or are abusing their physician’s oath by prescribing painkillers for no legitimate medical reason,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kaufman. “We will continue our critical work to prosecute all those who are fueling our nation’s continuing opioid crisis.”
“Mr. Zielke created a lucrative scheme peddling opioids for profit and at the same time undermining our healthcare system through fraudulent billing,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “Unethical, crooked doctors who choose to line their pockets cause medical care costs to increase for everyone. The FBI is committed to holding those who think they won’t be caught accountable.”
“Andrzej Zielke recklessly funneled opioids into Pittsburgh neighborhoods, fueling the height of the epidemic that takes the lives of 13 Pennsylvanians every day,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “We're working closely with our federal partners to combat this crisis that continues to destroy Pennsylvania families and communities.”
Sentencing is schedule from November 1, 2021 and law provides for a maximum per sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both, for the controlled substances offenses.
He also faces 10 years and a fine of $250,000 for the health care fraud charges, and a maximum per count sentence of 10 years and a fine of $250,000 for money laundering offenses.