Emmy-Winning Reporter Accused in $14 Million Opioid Scheme

An Emmy-winning TV reporter, Clara Wilkerson, 65, has been indicted on federal charges for her alleged role in a scheme to distribute millions of doses of prescription opioids, authorities announced Thursday.

Wilkerson, a former anchor and producer for WDIV-TV and stations in Florida and Washington D.C., is accused of using her companies, CRW Worldwide, LLC and CRW Development, Inc., to recruit and pay doctors to illegally prescribe drugs at sham medical clinics. According to the Department of Justice, the indictment alleges that Wilkerson and three doctors, along with the owner of one of the purported clinics, facilitated the release of 2.4 million doses of Oxymorphone, Hydrocodone, and Oxycodone onto the streets.

The scheme, which allegedly operated from 2018 to September 2024, generated more than $14 million, the indictment claims. Federal authorities stated that the clinics involved refused to accept patient insurance, instead charging between $250 and $500, and in some cases up to $1,000, for doctor visits where prescriptions were issued. Patients were sometimes paid by recruiters to obtain these prescriptions.

One of the alleged fraudulent clinics, Woodward Boulevard Medical Building (WBMB) in Detroit, Michigan, was owned and operated by Latanya Wallace-Hardiman, who is also named in the 39-count indictment. Doctors Luis Rodriguez, Nayantara Jnananand, and Prashanti Franklin allegedly issued prescriptions for substances worth over $4.6 million on the black market from 2021 to 2024. Another clinic, P & A Aftercare, issued prescriptions for more than 1.9 million dosages valued at over $10 million on the street market.

Wilkerson and Wallace-Hardiman face charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distributing controlled substances, as well as money laundering conspiracy and money laundering. If convicted, they could each face up to 20 years in federal prison. The three doctors are indicted on 23 counts of illegally distributing controlled substances, also carrying a potential 20-year sentence.

Joseph Dixon, special agent in charge of the DEA's Detroit field office, condemned the alleged actions, stating, "When they abuse that privilege for profit, they betray their patients, their communities, and the public trust." United States Attorney Jerome Gorgon added, "Prescribers who work at 'cash only' clinics are fueling the illegal street market. We will continue to investigate and prosecute these crimes in order to protect our citizens from the dangers of opiate drug abuse."

Wilkerson is also known for her work as an executive producer and program creator for The Chavis Chronicles, a weekly series on PBC TV Network stations. Her past work has been featured on PBS and The Oprah Winfrey Show.