ATLANTA -- A former medical examiner and forensic pathologist pleaded guilty, Wednesday, to conspiring to trade heavy-duty narcotics for sex.
Dr. Joseph L. Burton entered his plea in federal court admitting to the accusations. Burton was first indicted along with seven other people in February with five of those people pleading guilty. The 73-year-old pleaded guilty to two counts each of racketeering, fraud in obtaining controlled substances and violation of the Georgia controlled substances act. He is set to be sentenced in federal court Aug. 29.
“This defendant traded prescriptions for sex and is responsible for distributing thousands of doses of dangerous opioids within our community,” U.S. Attorney Byung J. Pak said.
According to Pak and information presented in court, Burton operated as a consulting pathologist to determine medical causes of disease and death. But agents began investigating him after a 2017 visit. That's when they discovered he was prescribing opioids in exchange for sexual favors. Their investigation uncovered more than 66,000 30 milligram oxycodone pills being distributed to patients he was not seeing regularly since he wasn't operating a medical facility.
In addition to the numerous oxycodone pills, investigators discovered more than 1,100 opioid prescriptions and 108,000 individual doses that also included other drugs like hydrocodone and methadone.
Authorities also named the women who agreed to sexual relationships with Burton for the drugs. Co-defendants Jennifer Hunter, Rhonda Haugland, and Tiffany Willis each engaged in a sexual relationship with Dr. Burton in exchange for prescriptions for themselves and others. The three would then fill their prescriptions and sell the pills. Burton also supplied the women with blank prescriptions and showed them how to fill them out.
Milton is charged with conspiracy to unlawfully distribute and dispense controlled substances outside of the normal course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 29.
Hunter, Willis, Michelle Danner and Rodney Kennedy pleaded guilty to counts of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute and dispense controlled substances.
Jerry Stephens, Jr. pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute and dispense controlled substances and one count of distribution and dispensation of a controlled substance.
