SOLON, Ohio — An arrest warrant has been issued for a Solon doctor accused of distributing thousands of doses of prescription painkillers for “no legitimate purpose.”
Syed Jawad Akhtar-Zaidi, 59, failed to appear at his arraignment in the case Thursday afternoon. Department of Justice assistant U.S. Attorney Henry DeBaggis said in court that authorities believe Zaidi is now in Pakistan.
Zaidi was charged last month in a 46-count indictment, accused of distributing painkillers like Percocet, Oxycontin and Opana to people with no legitimate medical need for the drugs.
He operated Pain Management of Northern Ohio in Solon, according to authorities.
Zaidi faces one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, one count of health care fraud, 36 counts of distribution of controlled substances and eight counts of money laundering.
The charges also seek to forfeit more than $4.8 million in accounts controlled by Zaidi as well as 139 pieces of jewelry valued as more than $90,000.
