A Fayette County psychiatrist charged with DUI — and accused of helping illegally issue nearly 2,500 prescriptions from her jail cell — has faced similar charges three times in the past, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Ginari Price is accused of helping her husband and two nurse practitioners issue thousands of prescriptions, including opioids, through her practice at Psycare LLC off Devant Street, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
DEA Diversion Program Manager Mike Hargroder told Channel 2 these drugs are abused across Georgia, often leading to overdoses.
“Hydrocodone drugs, Oxycodone drugs — these are the most dangerous drugs that are abused in our streets today in Atlanta,” Hargroder said.
Price was in jail last week when the DEA arrested her husband, Michael Price, and nurse practitioners Marie Pierre and Ngozi Okoro in connection with the alleged mass prescription fraud scheme, which spanned from October to January, AJC.com previously reported. The DEA previously said the number of illegally signed prescriptions was about 1,000.
RELATED: DEA: Husband, nurses illegally sign 1K prescriptions while psychiatrist was jailed for DUI
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
She was in jail after allegedly hitting two cars while her infant was in her lap. She faces several charges, including DUI and fleeing police.
This isn’t her first time facing these type of charges, Channel 2 reported.
In 2015, she was arrested in Fulton County on two counts of DUI, obstruction of an officer, endangerment of a child and other charges, the news station reported.
In 2016, she was arrested in Fayette County on 12 charges, including fleeing or attempting to elude police, DUI and public indecency, Channel 2 reported.
In 2017, she was arrested in Douglas County on seven counts, including possession of marijuana, driving with a suspended or revoked license and other controlled substance allegations, the news station reported.
Channel 2 obtained dashcam video of one of those arrests, where she is allegedly heard saying, “I hope police officers get shot in the head.”
Her attorney, Matt Kilgo, told Channel 2 she pleaded guilty in the 2016 Fayette County case, but she maintains her innocence in all other cases.
“Accepting responsibility was the right thing to do, and that was Dr. Price’s decision in conjunction with her attorney,” Kilgo said. “We are actively fighting all the cases, and we expect good resolutions in all those cases.”
Her husband and the two nurse practitioners also deny any wrongdoing in connection with the alleged prescription scheme, Channel 2 reported. All four face charges that include unauthorized distribution of controlled substances and practicing medicine without a license.
Price has a license, but she’s being charged because she’s accused of illegally helping the other three practice medicine, Deputy Chief Assistant DA Warren Sellers previously said.
Kilgo said Price hopes to keep her medical license after the investigation concludes.
“We hope so,” he said. “We believe that we can.”
The DEA, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia Composite Medical Board conducted the investigation.
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