JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – St. Augustine doctor Scott Hollington, 59, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison following his conviction of 14 counts of unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances not for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice, and five counts of obstructing justice.
Hollington was found guilty by a federal jury in 2023.
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According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) first learned of Hollington after receiving a tip from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJCSO) that Hollington was exchanging narcotic prescriptions for sexual favors.
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Following additional evidence of Hollington’s illegal prescribing practices, the DEA said it deployed five undercover officers to Hollington’s addiction clinic. These undercover visits took place between February and July 2022, with the purpose of obtaining prescriptions without a legitimate medical need. The undercover officers secured a total of 17 prescriptions of schedule II, III, and IV controlled substances during the five visits, including amphetamines (Adderall), benzodiazepines (Valium and Xanax), and buprenorphine (Suboxone).
During the visits, Hollington asked the officers about their drug preferences and offered prescriptions without proper medical justification, according to investigators.
Hollington also admitted that he did not care about urine drug screening results. Physical examinations, vital checks, and proper documentation were omitted during most medical encounters with the undercover officers, according to the Department of Justice. The evidence further revealed that Hollington altered medical notes in each of the undercover officers’ medical files following his indictment, leading to the obstruction charges.
Testimony during the trial included statements from three female victims who revealed that Hollington had exchanged, coerced, or solicited sexual favors for prescriptions.
One victim described him as a “monster” who took advantage of her vulnerability while seeking help for addiction.
A fourth victim recounted Hollington asking if she needed a “sugar daddy” and engaging in conversation of a sexual nature instead of discussing her medical history and need for medication.
