Here are four things to know:
1. The Department of Justice charged Dr. Thomas and five co-conspirators with drug conspiracies and multiple counts of distribution of Hydrocodone. According to the DOJ report, around 13,740 dosages of Hydrocodone were diverted due to fraudulent prescriptions.
2. Dr. Thomas faces 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $2 million per count for his part in the conspiracy and drug distribution case.
3. Prior to the charges, Dr. Thomas was an employed orthopedic surgeon at Hillcrest HealthCare Systems in Tulsa, Okla.
4. Dr. Thomas was initially indicted on the charges in June and has now pleaded guilty.
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