Grandmother Hid Pill Mill Ring Living the Suburban Life

We have heard plenty of crazy headlines in the new lately, but listen to this one, “Grandmother Hid Pill Mill Ring”. Yes, that is correct. Sylvia Hofstetter the Grandma everyone is talking about was a wealthy businesswoman and loving grandmother. Hofstetter was known for throwing extravagant pool parties, as well as decorating her upscale suburban house to the max for Christmas and Halloween. Yes, she was one of those houses that you drive up to and stare at all the decorations and say, “Wow, they must have a lot of money.” Neighbors say her parties were well beyond backyard burgers, she brought in caterers supplying food and booze for every event. However, Hofstetter typically disappeared after making a brief appearance.

This grandmother hid pill mill ring behind behind her lavish upscale life. Everyone thought she was a well-to-do business woman, but that image was shattered when the headline came out, “Grandmother Hid Pill Mill Ring Under Suburban Lifestyle”. The FBI agents raided the grandmother, health care administrator’s Knoxville home. Sylvia Hofstetter, the 51 year old Florida native, was running the largest illicit drug operation in the history of east Tennessee. This operation included a string of pill mills that profited $17.5 million in four years.

Hofstetter is now being charged with drug trafficking, several counts of money laundering, as well as money laundering conspiracy. The 51 year old is now currently awaiting federal trial. Several people came to her defense immediately. Hofstetter’s lawyer said she had never been arrested before. A former worker, who worked on one of the clinics Hofstetter ran, described her as the hardest working businesswoman he’d ever met. Lynn Johnson testified, “Probably the first time I ever met a lady that knew exactly what she wanted to do when it come to construction.” Unfortunately, just because you are a hard worker, does not mean that you can do no wrong. People involved in these types of schemes know how to play the role of an innocent person and cover up their trail.

Witnesses testified about her deep family connections as well. Lynn Johnson testified that Hofstetter was inseparable from her 7 year old grandson. Carie Pfrogner, a family friend also testified about her grandson, “That’s her obsession.” She continued, “She’s in love with that little boy.” She also stated that Hofstetter had the child over at her house any chance she could get.

While everyone seems to be on the fence with whether or not Hofstetter is innocent, the government maintains Hofstetter was running several pain clinics. They claim some clinics were strictly cash to show no records, serving as many as 100 addicts a day. On the opposite side, other clinics under her operation were described as legitimate operations that took insurance. While these clinics took insurance, they often referred people to facilities where prescriptions were written with no questions asked. You can see where this situation is not cut and dry. There are various factors involved.

Hofstetter stated that the clinics were originally funded by three men from Florida called “The Italians”.
Red flags were raised when an investigation found that Hofstetter had $6 million worth of financial transactions at casinos, though her tax returns didn’t show her making anywhere near that amount of money. Agents also seized two Lexus vehicles, big screen TVs, more than 100 pieces of jewelry, her home, and several of the pain clinics. Around 100 people have been charged in the case so far, including patients, former employees, and even a former police chief.

https://news.yahoo.com/feds-grandmother-hid-pill-mill-ring-behind-suburban-155439397.html