PORT CLINTON, Ohio — An 82-year-old doctor in Port Clinton has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly distributing opioids illegally.
William R. Bauer, has been charged with 200 counts of distribution of a controlled substance and 14 counts of healthcare fraud, according to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office.
Bauer is accused of over-prescribing fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine and other drugs, according to attorneys.
“This physician is accused of recklessly prescribing thousands of doses of fentanyl and other painkillers to people for no legitimate medical purpose,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “We will pursue doctors who flood our streets with pills and patches just as aggressively as we do the cartels and drug traffickers who seek to profit from the drug epidemic here in Ohio.”
Authorities said that from 2007 through 2019, Bauer allegedly “prescribed controlled substances outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.”
Bauer also regularly gave patients epidural injections without medical necessity and then failed to use proper imaging techniques to ensure the injection was administered correctly and reimbursable by insurance, authorities said. Afterwards, he submitted the fraudulent bills to patient’s insurance companies.
“It’s a terrible betrayal of the public-trust when professionals like Dr. William Bauer are engaged in corrupt practices, to include the diversion of controlled substances,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin.
Bauer isn't the only doctor accused of prescribing opioids illegally.
Last week, a doctor in Mansfield was indicted for allegedly distributing illegal opioid prescriptions to fake patients.
In June, a Jackson Township doctor was found guilty of manslaughter for running a "pill mill" that ultimately resulted in one person's fatal overdose. He was sentenced in July to 113 years in prison.
