A doctor who has practiced in Troy, Detroit and elsewhere in Southeast Michigan, pleaded guilty today to one count of unlawfully distributing the prescription drugs hydrocodone and valium, announced United States Attorney Matthew Schneider.
Schneider was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Detroit.
Pleading guilty was Dr. Salvatore Cavaliere, 57. The guilty plea was entered before United States District Judge George Caram Steeh.
According to the plea agreement, Cavaliere admitted to unlawfully distributing the Schedule II controlled substance hydrocodone (Vicodin). In entering his guilty plea, the defendant admitted that for several years, up until approximately August of 2015, he sold hydrocodone in amounts of up to 2,000 dosage units at a time. He also sold diazepam (Valium) in amounts of up to 600 dosage units per month. Approximately 36,000 dosage units of hydrocodone and 6,000 dosage units of diazepam (a schedule IV controlled substance) were involved in this pattern of illegal conduct.
The defendant faces a maximum term of 24 months’ imprisonment, which is the maximum sentence under the federal sentencing guidelines for this offense. The actual sentence imposed will be determined by the judge at sentencing.
The Drug Enforcement Administration previously revoked the defendant’s DEA registration based on this conduct, and the defendant is therefore unable to purchase or prescribe controlled substances.
Cavaliere has also agreed to pay the United States $150,000 as part of a civil settlement resolving allegations that he violated certain provisions of the Controlled Substances Act.
This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, under the supervision of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
