Federal Charges Filed Against Physicians in Opioid Conspiracy

News Summary

Four individuals, including two doctors, face federal charges for their involvement in an extensive illegal opioid distribution scheme. The indictment, unsealed in August 2025, alleges that thousands of prescriptions were written without legitimate medical justification, resulting in over $7 million in street value and significant financial ramifications for Medicare and Medicaid. The case highlights serious concerns regarding the abuse of medical authority and the need for stricter regulations within the healthcare system.

Detroit — Four men, including two physicians, have been charged in a federal indictment for their roles in a significant illegal opioid distribution conspiracy that allegedly spanned from November 2023 to June 2025. The indictment, unsealed on August 14, 2025, reveals a scheme in which thousands of opioid prescriptions were issued without legitimate medical necessity, resulting in an estimated street value of over $7 million.

The men charged in this case are Dr. Shakeeb Chinoy, 55, from Bloomfield Hills; Dr. Sunil Manjila-Varghese, 53, from Ann Arbor; Rommel Harvey, 43, from Detroit; and Gregory Sparks, 42, from Detroit. The charges were filed on August 6, 2025, and this situation has raised concerns regarding the misuse of medical authority by individuals in trusted positions.

According to the indictment, Chinoy and Manjila-Varghese are specifically accused of prescribing more than 400,000 dosage units of Schedule II controlled substances, including Oxycodone and Hydrocodone-acetaminophen (commonly known as Percocet and Norco, respectively). Other drugs involved in the conspiracy include Oxymorphone and Promethazine with codeine. The fallout from these actions led Medicare and Medicaid to be billed more than $1 million for unnecessary prescription drugs and maintenance medications prescribed to patients without good reason.

U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. asserted that this case represents a violation of the medical profession’s oath, pointing to the exploitation of a position of trust for personal gain by the defendants. The case has drawn attention to the ongoing issues of illegal distribution of prescription drugs within the healthcare system in Michigan.

The investigation, which led to the indictments, was carried out by the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, emphasizing the federal commitment to tackling opioid fraud and abuse. A detention hearing for Dr. Chinoy is scheduled for August 18, while his co-defendants, Harvey and Sparks, were released on $10,000 unsecured bonds after entering not guilty pleas.

This indictment is part of a broader initiative by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat opioid-related fraud and misuse, especially within the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. While the charges are serious, it is essential to note that these accusations do not entail guilt, and each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Eastern District of Michigan has become a focal point for investigations into illegal practices associated with opioid prescriptions. This case showcases the urgency and necessity of regulating opioid distribution and the critical importance of ensuring that healthcare professionals adhere to ethical practices in prescribing medications.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the community and healthcare industry are reminded of the vital role they play in safeguarding responsible prescribing practices to mitigate the growing opioid epidemic. Awareness and vigilance against misuse and abuse of prescription drugs remain crucial as authorities work to address and prevent similar situations in the future.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Detroit Free Press: Michigan Doctors Charged in Opioid Conspiracy
• CBS News: Michigan Doctors Charged
• ClickOnDetroit: Michigan Doctors Charged
• Detroit News: Michigan Men Charged in Opioid Conspiracy
• Wikipedia
• Google Search: Opioid Crisis Michigan