Show-Me State Times

ST. LOUIS – A doctor with an office in St. Louis and two employees have been indicted in U.S. District Court, accused of illegally prescribing controlled substances and health care fraud.

Dr. David A. Parks, 66, James M. Bilderback, 58, both of Jefferson County, Missouri, and Michelle J. Scheer, 43, of St. Louis were each indicted on a charge of conspiracy to illegally prescribe controlled substances and five counts of illegal prescribing of a controlled substance. Parks and Bilderback were also indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, eight additional counts of illegal prescribing of a controlled substance, and 15 counts of making false statements related to health care matters.

The indictment alleges that from at least July 6, 2016 through Dec. 31, 2021, the three conspired to knowingly and intentionally prescribe controlled substances outside the usual course of professional practice for no legitimate medical purpose. The goal was to maximize their patient population and profit.

Parks and Bilderback allegedly conspired to defraud Medicare, Missouri Medicaid, and private health insurers by billing them for services falsely identified as provided by Parks even when he was out of the country.

Parks operated David A. Parks, M.D., P.C., at 3960 Lindell Boulevard in St. Louis; Bilderback was the clinical manager and clinical research coordinator before later marrying Parks. Scheer worked at the front desk.

Many patients regularly received Schedule II controlled substance prescriptions including hydrocodone, oxycodone, and dextroamphetamine-amphetamine salts.

Parks was rarely present at the clinic, typically coming in one or two days per week for a few hours at a time. Staff used pre-signed prescriptions so patients could obtain controlled substances without being evaluated or having their medical records reviewed while Parks was out of the office or traveling domestically or internationally. Bilderback or another staff member sometimes forged Parks’ signature.

After electronic processing began in spring 2019, Parks and Bilderback gave the cell phone used to approve prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances to staffers with no prescribing authority. Scheer used this cell phone to make unilateral decisions about prescriptions including changes in dosages, quantities, and types of controlled substances.

All three authorized prescriptions that increased the addictive effects of drugs as well as potential overdoses and adverse events without drug-testing patients to detect signs of abuse or diversion. They gave "special treatment" to friends and family by issuing prescriptions without requiring provider visits.

Parks and Bilderback billed for services at higher rates than appropriate even though nurse practitioners or sometimes Bilderback performed them; they also failed to properly supervise nurse practitioners as required by law.

“As we continue to combat the opioid crisis,” said Special Agent in Charge Linda T. Hanley of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services Office Inspector General (HHS-OIG), “our agency remains committed to investigating those involved in fraudulent schemes exploiting controlled substances for profit.”

“Medical professionals have a duty to ensure that their patients’ health and safety are their primary concern,” said Diversion Program Manager Kim Daniels from DEA’s Diversion Program in Missouri Kansas Southern Illinois “When they abdicate this responsibility they put lives at stake.”

Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The FBI HHS-OIG DEA Missouri Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated Assistant U.S Attorney Amy Sestric is prosecuting

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