Kingsport Doctor Denied Supervised Release After Arrest For Felony Drug Charges

Image Credit: Google Earth & TBI

The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

A Kingsport physician is being held on multiple federal charges of healthcare fraud, providing false information, and unlawfully prescribing controlled substances.

Dr. Scott McLain, a physician at Kingsport Primary Care, was arrested on July 1 following a lengthy investigation. He is facing four charges: falsifying statements related to health care, health care benefit fraud, unauthorized distribution of a Schedule II controlled substance, and unauthorized distribution of a Schedule IV controlled substance. 

An affidavit details the investigation done by the FBI, TBI, the Medicaid Fraud Control Division, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

According to the affidavit, “The facts…pertain to McLain issuing controlled substance prescriptions to close friends or romantic interests outside the ordinary course of professional practice.” Those medications include Oxycodone, Xanax, Gabapentin, and Phentermine.

McLain allegedly prescribed the controlled substances to a mechanic who sometimes lived on the clinic property, as well as romantic interests, including a current girlfriend.

McLain is also accused of billing two insurance companies for “excessive services that were not provided.”

Last week, McLain was in court to request to be released from custody as he awaited his trial. His attorney, Corey Shipley, argued that McLain “is neither a danger to the community, nor a risk of flight.”

Judge Cynthia Wyrick ultimately denied the request, agreeing with the prosecution that McLain “likely has ample financial resources to fund flight.”

The prosecution also noted that McLain had previously faced similar charges that were dropped after he paid nearly $200,000 back to TennCare. McLain was also said to have dealt with substance abuse and mental health issues in the past.

Wyrick stated that “no combination of conditions can be imposed at this juncture which would reasonably assure Defendant’s appearance as required or the safety of the community if he were released.”

McLain is set to appear back in court in Greeneville on August 7 for a status update. If he is ultimately convicted, McLain faces significant prison time and possible revocation of his medical license.