A Harrison County doctor, Michael Gainey, 70, has pleaded guilty to seven counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances. The plea was entered on Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Gregory VanTatenhove.
Gainey, a family medicine specialist in Harrison County, admitted to prescribing controlled substances to patients with whom he had personal relationships. According to his plea agreement, these prescriptions were issued outside the scope of legitimate medical practice. The agreement identifies seven patients for whom Gainey wrote numerous prescriptions for drugs such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, and gabapentin.
The guilty plea was announced by Paul C. McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA's Louisville Field Division.
The investigation was carried out by the DEA and the case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Boone.
Gainey's sentencing is set for June 30. He could face up to 20 years in prison for each count and a fine of $1 million. The final sentence will be determined by the Court after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and federal sentencing statutes.