Doctor Who Ran Greenbelt Clinic Indicted for Illegally Distributing Drugs

A federal grand jury has indicted physician George Mathews, M.D., on charges of illegal distribution of drugs and health care fraud in connection with pain management clinics in Greenbelt, Prince Frederick and Waldorf, MD, according to a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) release.

The 37 count indictment alleges Mathews ran a “pill mill” out of his offices, where, for a fee, individuals could get prescriptions for controlled substances, including oxycodone and methadone, without having legitimate medical purpose.

Mathews was trained as a neurosurgeon and worked as a pain management specialist, according to the indictment, which lists his Greenbelt office at 7251 Greenbelt Rd. #B. 

The indictment also alleges that Mathews filed fraudulent insurance claims as part of a scheme to defraud the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs of the U.S. Department of Labor, Medicare and Medicaid public and other private insurance carriers.

Mathews allegedly sought reimbursement for patients' office visits that never occurred and allegedly made claims that he had met with some of his patients for longer than he actually had, according to the indictment. The indictment alleges on more than 250 occasions Mathews sought reimbursement for services allegedly rendered, exceeding 24 hours in a day.

The indictment also seeks forfeiture of at least $3,190,899, believed to be proceeds from the health care fraud scheme.

Mathews, who had his initial appearance in the U.S. District Court in Greenbelt Tuesday, faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each of 22 counts of illegal distribution of drugs and a maximum of 10 years in prison for each of 15 counts of health care fraud, according to the DEA.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.