Another Union General Hospital property was searched recently in connection with an ongoing investigation into improper prescription drug distribution.
The Clay County (N.C.) Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday morning that Hayesville Family Practice, owned by Union General Hospital in Blairsville, was searched by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Agency Diversion Task Force last week.
"On April 20, multiple agents of the two agencies, along with Clay and Cherokee County investigators, executed a search warrant," an online post from Clay County Sheriff's Office states. "Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Keith Plott was named in the search warrant and, as a result, he was interviewed on scene at the time the search warrant was executed.
"According to the search warrant affidavit, this was over prescribing prescription medications," the post states. "Numerous patient records along with other files and records identified as being potential evidence were seized. The district attorney’s office will be reviewing the findings of the search warrant and will make a determination as to possible charges."
Timeline of previous arrests related to the prescription drug investigation:
• March 2016 — Union General CEO Dr. John Michael Gowder, 58, and Union General Physician Dr. James Lanier Heaton were arrested in Cherokee County, N.C., after being indicted for five counts each of trafficking in opium or heroin and five counts each of obtaining a controlled substance by forgery;
• February 2016 — Union General CEO Dr. Michael Gowder was arrested and charged with three counts of fradulently obtaining a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy.
Union General physician Dr. James Heaton was arrested and charged with 40 counts of unauthorized distribution and dispensation of controlled substances and one count of conspiracy.
Dr. David Gowder, brother of the CEO, was arrested and charged with 36 counts of fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance, seven counts of unauthorized distribution and dispensation of controlled substances.
Gail Gowder, wife of the CEO, was arrested and charged with two counts of fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance.
Virginia Harkins, sister of the CEO, was arrested and charged with two counts of fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy.
Jamie Harkins, daughter of Virginia Harkins, was arrested and charged with two counts of fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy.
• July 2015 — Union General emergency medicine physician Dr. David Gowder was charged with three counts of omission of a practitioner (obtaining a prescription without having another doctor write it) and three counts of fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance between Nov. 4, 2014, and February 2015.
• April 2015 — Union General emergency medicine physician Dr. David Gowder was charged in Fannin County with first-degree forgery and misdemeanor prescription fraud.
