In Cambria County, the owner of a drug treatment clinic has been indicted on drug charges. According to the Department of Justice, 69 year old Stephen Shaner conspired with two doctors to submit and fill illegal prescriptions of buprenorphine. That’s an opioid more powerful than morphine.
A 5-count indictment also accuses Shaner of consiracy to commit health care fraud and money laundering.
The other doctors involved, Dr. Michael Cash and Dr. Ruth Jones have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
Shaner owns S-K-S, a clinic that provides medically assisted addiction treatment on Bedford Street in Johnstown.
If he’s convicted, Shaner could be sentenced to up to 60 years in prison, and pay more than 1.75 million dollars in fines.