A sign told patients that Starkville Internal Medicine was
closed Tuesday, after a federal search warrant was executed
at the business. (Photo by Ryan Phillips, SDN)
A federal investigation is underway in Starkville after investigators cleared Starkville Internal Medicine Clinic on 107 Brandon Road at around 10 a.m on July 10 while executing a search warrant.
Media Relations Specialist Don White, Sr. at the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said, after speaking with investigators at the scene, the OIG along with investigators from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) executed a search warrant in Starkville.
OCH Regional Medical Center released a statement noting they are aware officials from state and federal agencies visited the office of Dr. Ben Sanford. The statement clarified Starkville Internal Medicine Clinic is not associated with OCH.
The OCH statement follows: “We regret to hear that Dr.Sanford’s practice has been interrupted under unknown circumstances, but the Medical Center and the OCH Medical Staff have policies in place to address situations such as this,” OCH Administrator and CEO Jim Jackson said. “Dr. Sanford has been a respected part of the local medical community for many years, and we are hopeful that this matter will be resolved in a timely fashion with no findings of wrong-doing.”
No arrests had been made as of press deadline on Tuesday.
White said he cannot provide more details at this point in the investigation. The mission of OIG is to fight waste, abuse, and fraud in the programs of HHS.
This is a developing story. The Starkville Daily News will have more information as it comes available.