2 sentenced to probation in illegal Suboxone distribution

Two former employees of Redirections Treatment Advocates in Washington County were sentenced Wednesday in federal court to terms of probation and home confinement in connection with illegal Suboxone prescriptions, U.S. Attorney Scott Brady announced.

Dr. Madhu Aggarwal, 69, of Moon Township, was sentenced to three years of probation, including six months of home confinement, on a conviction of unlawfully distributing controlled substances, conspiracy and health care fraud, the announcement said. She worked as a physician at the center, which authorities said is a Suboxone clinic. Suboxone, or buprenorphine, can be used to treat opioid dependence.

Christopher Handa, 48, of Brentwood, was sentenced to two years of probation, including 90 days of home confinement, on his conviction of health care fraud and aiding and abetting the unlawful distribution of controlled substances, according to the announcement. He worked as operations manager at the center.

Federal authorities said Aggarwal pre-signed prescriptions and did not see patients before prescriptions — which were completed by employees who were not physicians — was issued. Handa was one of the employees who filled out the pre-signed prescriptions, according to Brady. Fraudulent claims were then submitted to Medicaid to cover the costs of the prescriptions.

Aggarwal was ordered to pay $83,000 in restitution and perform 100 hours of community service, Brady said. She was fined $40,000 and ordered to forfeit $50,000. Her license to practice medicine was voluntarily surrendered, according to state records.

Handa was ordered to pay $40,000 in restitution and perform 50 hours of community service.