Doctor sentenced to 3 years in federal prison for running a ‘pill mill’

A Naples doctor has been to three years in federal prison and has been ordered to forfeit more than $400,000 for operating a so-called pill mill.

On Monday, a judge sentenced Gerald Michael Abraham, 76, to three years in federal prison for distributing controlled substances to patients without a legitimate medical purpose. Authorities say he specifically prescribed oxycodone and amphetamines to his patients.

Abraham was also forced to forfeit multiple cars, including a 2020 Acura NSX, two 2020 Ford Mustangs, and a 2020 Aston Martin. In addition to the physical vehicles, he had to pay back $190,496.56 he paid towards a 2021 Aston Martin and $249,598.52 in cash.

Court documents say that Abraham was a licensed psychiatrist. His Naples practice was operating cash-only, and patients paid almost $400 per visit.

In 2019, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating Abraham. The agency received a tip stating that he was illegally prescribing strong opioids to patients with no need for the medication. Over the next calendar year, the DEA conducted 18 undercover patient visits and each time was able to obtain a prescription for oxycodone. Investigators say Abraham ignored signs of drug abuse in these undercover patients and refused to examine them. At one point, he prescribed oxycodone to an undercover patient after admitting that the medical paperwork “shows you are completely normal.”

Abraham also prescribed Adderall to patients frequently without need. Agents observed him prescribing Adderall upon request without asking for justification or performing an examination.

The Naples Police Department and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office assisted the DEA in this investigation.