Authorities say he issued prescriptions without exams, failed to report income
A medical doctor who resides in Phoenixville faces indictment on tax charges, U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger said in a news release on Thursday, March 27. Elias Karkalas owned and operated Upper Merion Family Practice P.C., the release said.
According to the indictment, Elias Karkalas was a participant in an online pharmacy organization that allowed certain individuals seeking drugs to acquire a prescription from a physician without an examination. Between 2005 and 2011, Karkalas allegedly authorized more than 750,000 prescriptions for which he was paid approximately $2.5 million that was not reported on his corporate and individual tax returns, the indictment said.
If convicted, Elias Karkalas faces a maximum possible sentence of 15 years in prison, which could also include a fine of up to $1.3 million and restitution to the IRS, the release said, adding that the case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations.
