Staten Island doctor accused of running $40 million pill mill

ELTINGVILLE, Staten Island (WABC) -- A 74-year-old doctor is under arrest and accused of running a pill mill that pumped $40 million worth of oxycodone onto the streets of Staten Island.

Located right in the heart of Staten Island, DEA officials say a doctor's office was just a cover for a massive illegal pill operation.

In an indictment unsealed Thursday, Dr. David Taylor is accused of writing unnecessary and excessive prescriptions for oxy, allegedly fueling the opioid epidemic in his own backyard.

He took an oath to do no harm but federal and local investigators say Taylor abused his power, writing prescriptions for oxycodone out of this small Hylan Boulevard office to people who did not need them.

Those prescriptions are said to have funneled millions of pills all over the streets of Staten Island.

Federal agents say over the course of five years, Taylor worked with Vito Gallicchio, 48.

Agents say he came up with the scheme to trade oxy prescriptions for cash, single malt whiskey, and other favors.

Prosecutors say a third suspect, Daniel Garcia, 57, helped get some of the pills into the hands of street dealers.

Police estimate over four million pills worth nearly $40 million on the street were distributed throughout Staten Island before the DEA raided Taylor's office Thursday.

Taylor, Gallicchio, and Garcia are all charged with conspiring to distribute and possession with intent to distribute oxy. If convicted they face up to 29 years in prison.