BUFFALO, N.Y. — Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy Jr. announced Wednesday a 166 count Grand Jury indictment against 56-year-old pain management physician Dr. Eugene Gosy.

"There are 144 counts alleging unlawful distribution and dispensing of controlled substances other than for a legitimate medical purpose and not in the usual course of medical practice, two counts of conspiracy to commit health fraud and 16 counts of health care fraud," said Kennedy.

The indictment also alleged that illegal distribution led to the death of six patients in his care.

"In addition the indictment contains three counts alleging unlawful distribution and dispensing controlled substances including fentanyl, oxycodone and tapentadol. Each of those resulting in the death of a patient," said Kennedy.

Dr. Gosy, who operates Gosy Pain Management Center in Williamsville, was first charged in a 114 count indictment back in 2016. Kennedy says Gosy conspired with workers at the clinic in operating one of the biggest illegal prescription drug operations his office has ever seen.

"I know one thing that tipped us off and sort of got everyone's attention right out of the box was the fact that Dr. Gosy's practice wrote more prescriptions for controlled substances than any other provider, including hospitals, in the state of New York," said Kennedy.    

Following the initial indictment, a judge allowed Gosy to return to his clinic to treat patients under the supervision of other physicians at the clinic. But Gosy was prohibited from writing prescriptions. This new indictment comes as the nation is grappling with a growing opioid abuse epidemic and doctors are increasingly coming under scrutiny.

"We need to stop the abuse of prescription drugs and one way to do that is to stop those doctors who prescribe these killer drugs outside the usual course of the medical practice and for legitimate medical purpose," said Kennedy.

If convicted, the resulting death charges carry a sentence of 20 years to life in prison. Kennedy says he expects Gosy to be formally arraigned at a later date.