Last night, federal law enforcement agents raided an Atlanta pain clinic and pharmacy allegedly linked to suspected “pill mills”.  The clinics were located in southeast Atlanta and in Tyrone.  Additionally, a pharmacy and two personal residences were part of the raid. As with other “pill mill” raids, the agents gathered medical records and other documents to determine if criminal charges will be brought.

We have seen a major initiative from the Department of Justice targeted against pain clinics and similar healthcare facilities in the past several months.  The federal government considers many of these clinics to be operating outside of the law, despite the fact that medical professionals are usually employed in these clinics and making independent assessments about prescribing narcotic pain medication.

Our criminal defense attorneys have successfully defended a physician who was charged with over-prescribing medication, and we have consulted with many healthcare clinic owners and operators to assist them in complying with the law and avoiding prosecution.  At this stage of an investigation, it is critical to review the documentation seized by the government and make contact with the federal agents and federal prosecutors before criminal charges are actually filed.