Dr. Charise Valentine, a 69-year-old physician from Southfield, has been sentenced to six years in prison for her role in illegally prescribing more than 200,000 opioid pills valued at over $5.2 million. The sentencing was announced by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., following Valentine’s conviction on charges of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute prescription opioids such as Oxycodone and Oxymorphone, along with ten counts of illegal distribution of those substances.
U.S. District Judge Terrence G. Berg presided over the trial and issued the sentence. According to prosecutors, between November 2016 and July 2018, Dr. Valentine wrote more than 3,000 prescriptions for supposed patients who did not have legitimate medical needs for the drugs while working at Orthopedic Medical Building in Oak Park, Michigan.
The clinic operated as a cash-only business out of a warehouse and charged $200-500 per prescription but only if an opioid was provided; no fee was collected otherwise. The price depended on the quantity and type of drug prescribed—often Oxycodone 30mg or Oxymorphone 40mg—rather than any actual medical service rendered. Fraudulent medical records were also created for these transactions.
Valentine reportedly received about half of the clinic’s proceeds—over $500,000 in cash during roughly 19 months—and payment depended entirely on whether she issued opioid prescriptions rather than providing genuine care.
Other individuals involved in the operation included Dr. Michele Ritter (who also issued thousands of illegal prescriptions), clinic operator Iris Winchester, and recruiter Joyce Robinson; all have pleaded guilty and received prison sentences.
“Doctors take an oath to heal, not poison. As a doctor, this defendant knew better than anyone the devastating harm that opioid addiction causes to people. There is no place in our community for corrupt doctors,” said Gorgon.
“Dr. Valentine’s sentencing sends a clear message that the FBI will not tolerate any medical professional who stands to gain personally from abusing their position and endangering the public by illegally prescribing opioids,” said Reuben Coleman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “We are grateful for our strong partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General throughout the entire investigation, and we remain in lockstep with our partners on pursuing these fraudulent medical schemes to save countless lives.”
“As today’s sentencing demonstrates, physicians who endanger patients and engage in the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids will be held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto of HHS-OIG Chicago Regional Office.“Our agency will continue to work in concert with our law enforcement partners to protect patients and the integrity of our federal health care programs.”
Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew J. Lievense and Wayne F. Pratt prosecuted this case as part of efforts within one of twelve districts participating in an Opioid Fraud Abuse and Detection Unit—a Department of Justice initiative designed to use data analytics targeting those contributing significantly to national opioid misuse.
The investigation involved special agents from both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Health & Human Services–Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).
