WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas doctor and his wife whose clinic has been linked to dozens of overdose deaths are set to be sentenced for unlawfully prescribing drugs, health care fraud and money laundering.
Dr. Stephen Schneider and his wife, Linda, have asked a federal judge to sentence them on Tuesday to the mandatory minimum 20 years in prison, rather than the life sentences sought by prosecutors.
Jurors convicted them in June of a moneymaking conspiracy linked to 68 overdose deaths.
Prosecutors argue life sentences would promote respect for the law within the medical community. The defense contends such unduly harsh sentences are likely to discourage doctors from prescribing controlled drugs for fear their patients will mislead them or not use medications as directed.
