Criminal Defense Lawyers

The Spodek Law Group is here to assist with DEA administrative audits at the offices of physicians and healthcare providers. As a top tier federal healthcare defense law firm, we understand how much of a burden DEA audits can be, and the harsh penalties you might face because of them. We aggressively defend the interests of healthcare providers during intense DEA audits.

The DEA is a law enforcement agency which is tasked with fighting drug trafficking and illegal drug distribution. The DEA has thousands of employees fighting this fight. Most of the people arrested by the DEA are dealers and traffickers. Many doctors and pharmacists are also involved in this illegal trade. In 2021, the DEA brought charges against over 50 healthcare providers. The DEA’s Diversion Control Division is the greatest threat to healthcare providers. According to the DEA, the purpose of the Diversion Control Division is to investigate the diversion of pharmaceuticals from legitimate sources. Bottom line – they are focused on determining how/why/who is involved in the illegal diversion of drugs from meaningfully legitimate purposes.

When does the DEA audit a physician?

DEA administrative audits happen for a number of reasons. Generally, physicians are subject to routine audits – usually every few years. In addition to these regular audits, the DEA can initiate administrative audits – if it determines the healthcare provider is not complying with federal laws and regulations. The DEA looks for a number of red flags, such as:

Spodek Law Group, P.C. - NYC Criminal Attorneys

5.0

Based on 745 reviews

George Fernandez

14:16 30 Apr 24

Excellent 10 out of 10, Helped resolve my case. Jeremy explained everything and made everything easy to understand.

Raj

21:33 24 Apr 24

If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!

Yelva Saint-Preux

19:26 19 Apr 24

I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.

Katherine Sun

18:08 18 Apr 24

my lawyer is Alex Zhik. Efficient, patient and professional

Nun ya

17:48 18 Apr 24

Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.

Keisha Parris

20:45 15 Mar 24

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

16:26 15 Mar 24

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!

K Mar

01:37 25 Jan 24

I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.

• Physicians who are selling prescriptions to drug dealers
• Pharmacists who are falsifying records to sell drugs
• Employees who are stealing from inventory

If your healthcare practice’s protocols are different from other healthcare providers in your area, this is another potential red flag. If you service a large number of out-of-state patients, this is another potential red flag. It could signal to the DEA, you’re engaged in drug diversion and drug trafficking. The DEA also relies on tips/whistleblowers from other doctors/patients/pharmacists, in order to determine whether or not to audit you.

It’s important to realize, the DEA isn’t simply looking for drug trafficking. They also looking for recordkeeping violations. While these violations aren’t necessarily criminal – it can lead to increased suspicion from DEA agents who are going to then do an in-depth audit.

What should you do when facing a DEA administrative audit

When the DEA decides it’s going to investigate you – it provides no notice. Doctors have no time to prepare. It’s essential you have prepared for this – if, and when, it happens. If you are audited, you should have a game plan on what you’re going to do. The first thing to remember is that the DEA is a law enforcement agency. It also means, they are investigating you because they’ve found cause to do so – and think you’re breaking the law. Anything you say – can, and will, be used against you. Speaking with DEA agents about anything about your case is unwise. It’s important to hire a DEA audit attorney to speak to DEA agents on your behalf. The DEA cannot conduct an audit, or search, your healthcare practice without a warrant or your permission. Often, DEA agents will try to bypass the warrant requirement by asking healthcare providers to consent to an audit.

Refusing consent prevents them from auditing your practice that exact day – but it won’t stop them from seeking a traditional search warrant, or an administrative inspection warrant. Refusing a search/audit is your right. If you refuse to consent, agents might be suspicious.