A federal jury in Central Islip has found Roya Jafari-Hassad, a medical doctor from Great Neck, Long Island, guilty on eight counts of illegally prescribing oxycodone pills without a legitimate medical purpose. The verdict was reached after a 10-day trial presided over by United States District Judge Gary R. Brown. Dr. Jafari-Hassad faces up to 20 years in prison for each count upon sentencing. She was acquitted of witness tampering charges.
The announcement was made by Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Frank A Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge at the Drug Enforcement Administration's New York Division; and Naomi Gruchacz, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s Office of Investigations in the New York Region.
United States Attorney Peace stated, “As proven, Dr. Hassad was a drug dealer who disgracefully dispensed highly addictive oxycodone pills without any regard for the well-being of the patient but with plenty of interest in their cash.” He emphasized that such actions contribute to the opioid epidemic and pledged accountability for those responsible.
DEA New York Special Agent in Charge Tarentino commented, “Dr. Roya Jafari-Hassad knowingly prescribed opioids without cause... Today, the jury recognized her actions of putting profit and greed over her oath to protect the health and safety of her patients.”
HHS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Gruchacz added that Dr. Jafari-Hassad's illegal prescription practices were "especially egregious given the ongoing opioid epidemic" and reaffirmed HHS-OIG's commitment to collaborating with law enforcement to hold offenders accountable.
Oxycodone is a controlled substance that should only be prescribed for legitimate medical reasons by healthcare professionals. It is known for its high potential for addiction and abuse due to its potency.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that Dr. Hassad charged significant sums—typically $350 for a 15-day supply or $700 for a 30-day supply—in cash for oxycodone prescriptions that lacked legitimate medical justification. An undercover investigation revealed she provided an undercover detective with ten prescriptions over nine months.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles P. Kelly and Katherine Onyshko from the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division, with support from Paralegal Specialist Samantha Schroder.
Dr. Roya Jafari-Hassad is 58 years old and resides in Bayside, Queens.