New Jersey Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Illegal Drug Conspiracy

A New Jersey pharmacist pleaded guilty for his role in an illegal drug distribution scheme involving large quantities of oxycodone and other controlled substances. David Goldfield, along with his co-conspirator, distributed and dispensed the prescription medications from their 2 New Jersey pharmacies in Medford.¹

Goldfield and his counterpart, Michael Ludwikowski, were arrested 6 weeks ago for their involvement in the long-running drug conspiracy. According to a report released by the Department of Justice, Goldfield admitted to noticing that many of the oxycodone prescriptions they filled at the pharmacies were fraudulent, including prescriptions that appeared to have been washed or bleached and customers with addresses far from the pharmacy’s location. Goldfield also dispensed prescription medications to customers who were known to be drug addicts, or believed to be selling or abusing oxycodone.

Although Goldfield was suspicious about the prescriptions’ legitimacy, Ludwikowski allegedly instructed Goldfield to continue filling the fraudulent prescriptions. Goldfield also admitted that both pharmacists stored oxycodone bottles at the front counter where employees would have easy access, rather than in a locked safe.

After filling large quantities of fraudulent oxycodone prescriptions, Ludwikowski and Goldfield attempted to turn away customers presenting false prescriptions by pretending that the DEA had reduced their supply of oxycodone. Both pharmacists were later arrested.

Goldfield confessed to conspiring with Ludwikowski to distribute and dispense oxycodone to individuals planning to sell the controlled substances or use for non-medical purposes. He pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy to illegally distribute and dispense oxycodone and other controlled substances, and multiple substantive counts of illegal distribution and dispensing of oxycodone.

If convicted, Goldfield faces a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine, twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 31, 2017.

Reference

• Pharmacist Admits Illegally Distributing Oxycodone From Medford, New Jersey ‘Pill Mills.’ [news release]. Camden, NJ. The United States Attorney’s Office District of New Jersey. https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/pharmacist-admits-illegally-distributing-oxycodone-medford-new-jersey-pill-mills. Accessed Dec. 28, 2016.

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