A federal jury in Central Islip has found Roya Jafari-Hassad, a medical doctor from Great Neck, Long Island, guilty on eight counts related to prescribing oxycodone pills without a legitimate medical purpose. The verdict came after a 10-day trial overseen by United States District Judge Gary R. Brown. Dr. Jafari-Hassad faces up to 20 years in prison for each count but was acquitted of witness tampering charges.

The verdict was announced by Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Frank A Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge at the Drug Enforcement Administration's New York Division; and Naomi Gruchacz, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General’s Office of Investigations for the New York Region.

United States Attorney Peace stated: “As proven, Dr. Hassad was a drug dealer who disgracefully dispensed highly addictive oxycodone pills without any regard for the well-being of the patient but with plenty of interest in their cash.” He emphasized that corrupt doctors contribute to the opioid epidemic and must be held accountable.

DEA Special Agent Tarentino commented: “Dr. Roya Jafari-Hassad knowingly prescribed opioids without cause, and with a possible life of addiction... Today, the jury recognized her actions of putting profit and greed over her oath to protect the health and safety of her patients.”

HHS-OIG Special Agent Gruchacz added: “The defendant convicted in this case is a physician who knowingly prescribed controlled substances illegally... HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure individuals involved in schemes that threaten patient safety are held accountable.”

Oxycodone is classified as a controlled substance meant to be dispensed only for legitimate medical purposes by healthcare professionals. The trial revealed that Dr. Hassad charged hundreds of dollars in cash per month for oxycodone prescriptions lacking legitimate medical reasons.

An investigation into Dr. Hassad began in spring 2021 when an undercover detective received ten prescriptions totaling hundreds of oxycodone pills over nine months through tape-recorded appointments with Dr. Hassad.

The prosecution is being managed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles P. Kelly and Katherine Onyshko from the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division, assisted by Paralegal Specialist Samantha Schroder.

Dr. Roya Jafari-Hassad is 58 years old and resides in Bayside, Queens.