Doctor loses bid for new trial

A third person is still awaiting trial.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A Lawrence County chiropractor convicted of violating Pennsylvania's drug act was denied a new trial.
Judge J. Craig Cox issued the order for Thomas Wilkins on Friday. Cox, who presided over Wilkins' four-week trial earlier this year, also denied Wilkins' request for an immediate acquittal.
Wilkins, 43, and Dr. Philip Wagman, a physician, were convicted of 19 counts of violating Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act and one count each of conspiracy to violate the state drug act.
Wilkins was sentenced to nine to 30 years in state prison. He is now being housed in Frackville State Prison in Schuylkill County.
He was part of what prosecutors called a "prescription mill."
Wagman and Wilkins operated Work-Med and Chiro-Med at 2017 W. State St. in Union Township, which was raided by police in 2003. They were charged the next year.
Patients were required to first visit the chiropractor and pay a 25 fee. They could then visit Wagman and another doctor for a larger fee.
Narcotic prescriptions
Prosecutors said Wagman, 49, wrote prescriptions for close to 650 pills a day for OxyContin and other prescription narcotics and saw 80 to 120 patients a day.
During his sentencing in July, Wilkins questioned why he had a joint trial with Wagman.
"I think they used a lot of evidence against Wagman against me," he said.
A third physician charged at the same time, Dr. William Mangino, 63, now of Philadelphia, is still awaiting trial.
cioffi@vindy.com