CINCINNATI, Ohio — The former operator of a number of drug treatment clinics in Eastern Kentucky has lost his appeal on federal health care fraud and wire fraud charges.

Eugene Sisco III, 37, of Pikeville, was found guilty by a jury back in November of 2021.

With the verdict, the jury determined that Sisco improperly bill Medicaid patients up to $300 a month, even though Medicaid was paying for their treatment. The jury also found that he ordered thousands of unnecessary drug tests.

Following his conviction, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay nearly $9 million in forfeiture and restitution.

Sisco took his case to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, challenging his conviction on various grounds. However, a three-judge panel found no errors in the case and upheld his conviction and sentence.

Sisco is currently serving his sentence at the federal prison in Ashland. He is scheduled to be released in January of 2031.