Nine local health providers charged in sweeping indictment

An investigation by the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force has resulted in 60 indictments for illegal prescribing practices and health care fraud across six states, nine of whom are medical professionals practicing in Middle Tennessee. 

Three nurse practitioners who were charged, Brian Richey of Cookeville, Daniel Seeley of Batesville, Mississippi, and Jonathan White of Tullahoma, were all employed by PainMD — a company currently facing multiple federal Medicare fraud charges alongside former CEO Michael Kestner and several subsidiaries. All were indicted on three counts of health care fraud and one count of conspiracy and face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count.