LI Doctor Gets 3 Years In Prison For Illegally Prescribing Oxycodone

DEER PARK, NY — A Deer Park-based doctor was sentenced to three years in prison for unlawfully distributing oxycodone to about 20 patients without a legitimate medical purpose, according to federal officials.

Frank Parasmo, a former medical doctor, was convicted in October 2021 on 32 counts of unlawfully distributing oxycodone, a highly addictive prescription painkiller, to 18 patients, said Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

He also received three years of supervised release, as sentenced by United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack.

Between January 2014 and February 2015, Parasmo issued prescriptions to patients who had just left detox treatment in rehabilitation facilities, as well as patients who had just been discharged from a hospital following an overdose, according to evidence at a trial.

In addition, he issued prescriptions to many patients he knew were taking illegal drugs or who he suspected were addicts.

There is a significant risk of an overdose when oxycodone is taken with heroin and cocaine, prosecutors said.

Parasmo issued prescriptions to patients who had just left detox treatment in rehabilitation.

In several instances, Parasmo continued to write prescriptions for individuals who he had been warned were not taking their pills as prescribed and, in some instances, possibly reselling them on the streets.

From 2010 to 2015, Parasmo prescribed more than 1.5 million oxycodone and hydrocodone pills, making him one of the top prescribers of those painkillers in New York State during that period, prosecutors said.

Also, after learning that the DEA was investigating his prescribing practices, Parasmo cut in half the number of oxycodone prescriptions he issued annually.

“Today’s sentence demonstrates that there are significant consequences for doctors who act as drug dealers,” stated Peace. “This Office remains committed to using all tools available to address the damage the opioid crisis does to our communities.”

The case was investigated by the DEA’s Long Island District Office Tactical Diversion Squad, comprising agents and officers of the DEA, Nassau County Police Department, Suffolk County Police Department, Port Washington Police Department, and Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal
Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Maffei and Charles P. Kelly are in
charge of the prosecution.