Mar 27, 2018 2 min read

The manager of a Washington County-based drug treatment clinic faces federal drug and fraud charges.

Christopher Handa, 47, of Pittsburgh, was charged by a four-count indictment a federal grand jury returned March 21. Federal prosecutors allege he and others conspired to create and submit unlawful prescriptions for buprenorphine – a narcotic painkiller used in the treatment of opioid addiction that’s commonly distributed under the brand names Subutex and Suboxone – and then unlawfully dispensed those controlled substances to others.

Handa is listed in court papers as the manager of Redirections Treatment Advocates. The treatment provider’s location on West Chestnut Street in Washington and a former location on Washington Avenue in Bridgeville were among six locations in Southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia where federal investigators executed search warrants Jan. 11 in what officials said at the time was on ongoing investigation.

The indictment charges Handa with drug offenses, conspiracy and health care fraud.

Federal prosecutors allege in court papers Handa helped a physician – identified only as “M.B.” – who was a contractor at Redirections’ Washington location illegally provide a patient with Suboxone for no legitimate medical purpose on two occasions in August.

They also accuse Handa and others of carrying on a scheme to defraud Medicaid between January 2014 and January 2018, alleging Handa “filled in or caused to be filled in” blank prescription forms M.B. had pre-signed. They were allegedly used at pharmacies to fill prescriptions paid for by Medicaid. The doctor reportedly wasn’t in the office when the forms were completed.

Handa’s attorney, Ralph Karsh, wasn’t immediately available for comment Tuesday afternoon.