CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A doctor charged with conducting a massive opioid distribution scheme out of his Clarksville clinic has been found guilty in federal court.
Dr. Samson Orusa, 56, was convicted of illegally distributing opioids, health care fraud and money laundering, according to court records.
Orusa, also the pastor at God’s Sanctuary Church International on Madison Street, was convicted by a federal jury on Aug. 13 of:
- Maintaining a drug-involved premises.
- 13 counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.
- 13 counts of health care fraud.
- 9 counts of money laundering.
He was found not guilty in 9 of the 22 counts of unlawful distribution, the court records state.
The indictment
According to the indictment, as early as January 2014, Orusa prescribed oxycodone and other Schedule II controlled substances from his 261 Stone Crossing Drive office without getting the patient’s prior medical history, performing a credible physical examination or performing a diagnostic workup.
In one instance, the indictment alleges that in February 2015, Orusa diagnosed a patient with chronic pain syndrome without performing an examination and prescribed a potentially deadly drug cocktail. On Feb. 24, 2015, that patient died of a drug overdose.
Between July 1 and Aug. 21, 2018, the indictment alleges Orusa wrote 2,494 prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances. The State of Tennessee revoked Orusa’s Pain Management Certificate, and that same day, Orusa wrote 164 prescriptions for 12,754 Schedule II controlled substance pills, the indictment states.
What’s next
The indictment also seeks to forfeit proceeds and property connected to criminal activity. The jury is still deliberating those issues, according to coverage by The Tennessean.
Sentencing is pending. Orusa faces up to 20 years in prison on each drug-related count and up to 10 years in prison on each healthcare fraud and money laundering count.