St. Augustine physician convicted of trading prescriptions for favors and tampering with medical records
Fla. News Network —Prosecutors painted Dr. Scott Hollington as a predatory operator during Hollington's trial. Victims said he preyed on patients with drug histories, assuming they'd be less likely to report him. "This wasn't an accident—it was a business model." Hollington's defense claimed he was "overwhelmed" by the opioid epidemic and made "mistakes in judgment," but jurors weren't buying it. They deliberated for six hours before finding him guilty on all counts.
Dr. Hollington was convicted on 14 counts of illegally dispensing controlled substances without a valid medical purpose. Undercover officers posing as patients were prescribed medications including Adderall, Valium, and Xanax, although they had no valid medical needs. He admitted that he did not concern himself with the outcome of urine drug testing and routinely omitted physical exams and vital signs.
Hollington's probe began with a tip that he was exchanging prescriptions for sex. Trial testimony included women who testified that Hollington exchanged, coerced, or solicited sex for prescriptions. When Hollington was indicted for selling drugs, he altered the medical records of the undercover officers, which led to charges of obstruction of justice.
Fallout and Reactions:
Hollington's 12-year prison sentence and three years of supervised release is one of the toughest on a Florida doctor in a prescription drug case. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika decried his actions as "a grotesque abuse of trust." The Florida Department of Health also quickly revoked his medical license, calling his actions "irredeemable."
However, critics argue that the case exposes deeper issues. While Florida closed "pill mills" after the 2010s opioid epidemic, loopholes permitted bad apples to slip in. State health boards rely largely on patient complaints to trigger red flags for potential abuse, but threats of retaliation keep others quiet. "How many more Hollingtons are out there?" tweeted advocacy group Safe Scripts Florida in reaction to the verdict.
What's Next:
The victims in this case are double: the direct victims of the actions of Dr. Hollington and society in general suffering from the negative effects of abuse of controlled substances. For those who were prescribed medicine in exchange for sexual favors, the victimization is double—both in the physical sense of endangering health as well as in psychological suffering.
Hollington's attorneys have recommended an appeal, but legal experts indicate his chances are slim against a stack of evidence. For the victims, the verdict is a sense of closure. "He took my dignity, but he did not destroy me," K.M. told reporters outside the courthouse. As Hollington departs for prison, the case is a grim reminder: Not all monsters are in the shadows. Some wear stethoscopes.
Together Forward:
Dr. Hollington's case reminds one of responsibility in the medical community. As communities continue to struggle with rampant drug abuse, such abuses of power need to be dealt with. It also reminds one of the importance of having tight control and reporting mechanisms so that this type of case will be prevented in the future.
The case was jointly investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Ormond Beach Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and State Attorney’s Office – 7th Judicial Circuit. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kirwinn Mike and Ashley Washington.
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