The United States Attorney’s Offices for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia reported on Monday, July 13 that West Virginia United Health System, Inc., doing business as West Virginia University Health System (WVUHS), has agreed to pay $4,177,139 and enter a Memorandum of Agreement to resolve civil allegations that it violated multiple provisions of the Controlled Substances Act across various registered facilities over a seven-year span.
“Pursuant to a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) investigation, The United States identified that WVUHS committed numerous recordkeeping and reporting violations between 2017 and 2024,” the federal agency said in a press release. 
“WVUHS facilities failed to notify the DEA regarding thefts or significant losses of controlled substances. In addition to these failures to report, other violations included errors in orders regarding controlled substances; failures to maintain accurate and current inventory records; failures to ensure proper authority for use of DEA order forms; maintaining policies and procedures not fully consistent with the requirements of the Controlled Substance Act; and other administrative violations,” said the U.S. Attorneys offices.
“When a healthcare system controls large quantities of addictive medications, strict compliance with the Controlled Substances Act is necessary to protect the public. This settlement, along with the corresponding Memorandum of Agreement, demands accountability and mandates meaningful reform across WVUHS.” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Prezioso.
Federal attorneys also said WVUHS has signed a comprehensive, three‑year Memorandum of Agreement with the DEA. It imposes detailed systemwide compliance requirements, including additional diversion oversight; rapid reporting of thefts or losses; installing hundreds of security cameras at controlled substance storage sites; enhancing training and auditing procedures; and other policy improvements to detect, investigate, and prevent diversion.
“Hospital systems stockpile controlled medications with a high potential for abuse, so it’s imperative that they safeguard those drugs and maintain accurate records to prevent diversion,” said Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott, head of DEA’s Louisville Field Division.
This case was litigated on behalf of the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Prezioso, Jordan V. Palmer, and Stephanie K. Savino, from the Northern District of West Virginia, and Greg Neil of the Southern District of West Virginia. It is also the result of tireless efforts by DEA Diversion Investigators.
Read the settlement agreement here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/media/1452226/dl?inline
