A San Jose physician has been found guilty on 12 counts of unlawfully distributing opioid medications without a legitimate medical need. Donald Siao, 58, wrote over 8,200 prescriptions in a single year, including some to a patient who later died from an overdose, according to federal prosecutors. Following a week-long trial, a jury convicted Siao, who practiced family medicine.

Prosecutors revealed that Siao prescribed escalating doses of oxycodone and hydrocodone to undercover law enforcement officers posing as patients. These agents reported only minor aches and pains, openly requested specific opioids, and even admitted to sharing the pills. The prosecution highlighted that Siao continued to prescribe to a mother and son despite their claims of lost or stolen prescriptions. Tragically, the son fatally overdosed on opioids in December 2019. Eight of the twelve counts against Siao are related to this case. Each count carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. Siao’s sentencing is scheduled for November 7. U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey for the Northern District of California stated his intent to pursue the revocation of Siao’s medical license.