A Putnam County veterinarian, Clara Ann Mason, has been ordered to pay $956,709 in civil penalties after failing to account for nearly 9,800 dosage units of controlled substances, including oxycodone HCL and hydrocodone/acetaminophen. The judgment was announced by Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston following a ruling by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
According to court documents, Mason, 64, of Winfield, ordered thousands of doses of opioids and other drugs between March 2018 and July 2023 while licensed as a veterinarian in West Virginia and registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). During this period, she obtained significant quantities of hydrocodone/acetaminophen and oxycodone HCL from a veterinary pharmaceutical supplier. Notably, from 2021 to 2023, Mason’s orders for hydrocodone/acetaminophen surpassed those of any other individual customer from the supplier. Between January 2021 and January 2023, her purchases accounted for nearly three-quarters of all oxycodone HCL dosage units sold by the supplier.
An administrative inspection warrant executed on October 11, 2023 at Mason’s registered address revealed unsecured controlled substances throughout the property. Investigators found that required records documenting the dispensing and inventory of these medications were missing. During the inspection, Mason surrendered her DEA registration number voluntarily.
Subsequent investigation determined that at least 6,593 dosage units of hydrocodone and oxycodone were unaccounted for. In response to investigators’ questions about missing drugs, Mason provided records claiming she dispensed large amounts of opioids to animals prior to euthanasia; however, authorities believe these records were fabricated. Interviews with pet owners did not support claims that such medications had been administered.
“The Court concluded that Dr. Mason jeopardized the safety of the community, which has been severely harmed by the opioid epidemic, by failing to properly secure and track these drugs,” Johnston said. “The Court assessed the maximum penalties in this case. This outcome is the result of the excellent work by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), our office’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement and Health Care Fraud Investigative Specialist Tyler E. Japhet, and Assistant United States Attorney Gregory P. Neil.”
“DEA registrants are responsible for handling controlled substances responsibly and ensuring complete and accurate records are being maintained in compliance with the Controlled Substance Act,” said Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott, head of DEA’s Louisville Division. “Failure to comply with controlled substance regulations puts our communities in grave danger, and any registrant who fails to meet these standards will be held accountable.”
Further information about this case can be found through PACER by searching Case No. 3:35-cv-175.
