From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — A federal judge yesterday sentenced a Fultondale doctor to six years in prison for prescribing controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose and engaging in health care fraud.
Paul Roberts, M.D., pled guilty to 12 counts of prescribing controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose, including allowing unqualified staff such as an X-ray technician, to prescribe controlled substances to patients using prescriptions that Roberts pre-signed. He also prescribed controlled substances to two women, in exchange for, or in an attempt to obtain sexual favors from them.
The 48-year-old physician is a former co-owner of Southeast Urgent Care in Fultondale. Roberts was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals at sentencing. As part of the plea agreement, Roberts agreed to relinquish all his medical licenses, including his Alabama medical license.
Roberts also pled guilty to a conspiracy and scheme to fraudulently bill Blue Cross Blue Shield for office visits. In addition, he pled guilty to a conspiracy and scheme to fraudulently bill health insurance companies for up to $2.2 million worth of medically unnecessary compounded drugs in exchange for kickbacks.