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Former Bowling Green Doctor Pleads Guilty to Illegally Prescribing Pain Meds

Fred Gott Facebook

A day before he was scheduled to go on trial, a former Bowling Green physician has admitted to illegally prescribing pain killers.

Fred Gott will avoid what was expected to be a month-long trial in federal court.  The 66-year-old former heart doctor pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court in Bowling Green. 

Gott was charged in a federal indictment that alleged health care fraud and unlawful distribution of controlled substances.

According to prosecutors, Gott transitioned his practice from cardiology to pain management, which he wasn’t qualified to do. He was charged with prescribing controlled substances, including Fentanyl and Methadone, without a legitimate medical purpose between 2006 and 2013. 

The Bowling Green-Warren County Drug Task Force opened an investigation into his practice after the coroner reported drug overdose deaths involving Gott’s patients.

Gott also admitted to falsely billing health care benefit programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, by submitting claims for office visits at a higher cost than the service actually provided for patients under his care.

Gott's plea deal requires him to serve eight years in prison and pay restitution.  His sentencing is set for May 7.

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.
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