Belle Vernon Doctors Face Charges In Prescription Drug Scheme

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Three doctors are facing charges in a prescription drug theft scheme at a local chiropractor's office.

Doctors Jack Taylor, Mark Boles and Edward Sweeny have all been charged in the alleged scheme at Pittsburgh Healthworx in Belle Vernon.

The doctors turned themselves in Friday morning.

During the investigation, it was discovered that Boles and Sweeney were illegally prescribing thousands of Oxycontin and other drugs.

According to the indictment, at Taylor's direction, staff physicians - 59-year-old Boles and 65-year-old Sweeney - prescribed the controlled substances. The Attorney General's Office alleges the doctors fed addicts prescription painkillers, all to make money from the patients and insurance payment.

"I was trying to help the people," said Sweeney. "I wasn't doing anything more than trying to help."

Taylor, who owns the practice, allegedly required the patients receiving the substances to submit to chiropractic services multiple times a week.

The grand jury heard testimony dating back to 2007.

Clients would see Taylor, get treatment, and then be sent to Sweeny and Boles for prescriptions, often times without any physical examination or medical records, authorities said.

According to investigators, the clinic would bill insurance companies, allegedly pocketing nearly $2.4 million in insurance payments. The doctors examined some 90-plus patients in and out.

Taylor is facing insurance fraud and racketeering charges.

"We've continued to try to cooperate and continued to try and serve the patients that come to the clinic in a legal, proper and medical way," said John P. Flannery, Taylor's defense attorney.

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