Ken Lawson was sentenced to two years in prison today on federal felony drug charges.
He must then serve 1,000 hours of community service after prison.
His sentencing hearing began at 10 a.m. Tuesday and lasted all day in the federal courthouse. The courtroom was packed with former clients of Lawson's and his fellow AA members. Testimony resumed this morning.
Other recovering addicts and alcoholics are testifying on Lawson's behalf. They're speaking to how Lawson has been helping other addicts since he was charged in a prescription drug scheme. Those testifying today are trying to convince the judge that Lawson should get probation since he's been going to AA meetings every day and helping others with their recovery.
Lawson pleaded guilty to masterminding a scheme to get prescription drugs like Oxycontin and Percocet.
Court documents say Lawson received fraudulent prescriptions from a doctor in exchange for money and legal advice. The doctor wrote the prescriptions in other people’s names, and those people would then fill the prescriptions for Lawson in exchange for money. This went on for four years.
On the stand today, Lawson said for much of that time he was simply an angry addict. He did admit to using his daughter, family members, and clients to get his phony prescriptions filled. Lawson says his addiction began when he started taking medication for an injury he suffered during exercise. At one point, he was taking 100 pills a day.
Former client Mike Hudson was one of the witnesses who testified today. He said he paid Lawson drug case $37,000 and got no legal advice. Hudson's wife testified that Lawson asked her to fill a phony prescription and told her if she didn't, she would go to jail.
Lawson's two co-conspirators have already pleaded guilty to charges. They include Dr. Walter Broadnax, who wrote the prescriptions and George Beatty, who is described as a drug dealer.
The Ohio Supreme Court suspended Lawson’s law license indefinitely but not permanently, saying while he was on drugs, Lawson missed court appearances and failed to file papers on behalf of his clients.
