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Featured This Week:

Former FBI agent recounts opioid drug bust.

CNN’s Navalny earns favor with the Academy.

Little Richard wows audiences at Sundance.

Retired FBI agent shares a first-hand account of the agency’s takedown of the largest opioid pill mill in US history

Retired agent Kurt McKenzie joined the FBI almost 26 years ago. In June of 1997, he started as a forensic biologist, analyzing DNA for forensic cases involving sex crimes, serial murders and other violent offenses. 

Later, he joined the agency's Miami bureau, where he served as a special agent — investigating organized crime, fraud, money laundering, narcotics and drug trafficking, to name a few. During his tenure in Miami, he was assigned to the nationwide, multi-agency project Operation Oxy Alley — a joint investigation of the George brothers' $500 million pill mill operation in Broward and Palm Beach counties, Florida. The investigation led to the arrest and indictment of 32 individuals (of which 13 were doctors) for their illegal distribution of steroids and opioids across the United States.  

We spoke to Agent McKenzie about his experience on the case. Here's what he had to say: 

Twin brothers, Jeff (left) and Chris George at their Florida residence.

How did you first learn about the George brothers and their clinic American Pain?

We initiated the investigation towards the end of 2008. Our preliminary investigation (surveillance, public records searches, etc.) revealed that the George brothers were arguably the most prolific, and well-organized clinic owners/pill pushers in South Florida.

In conducting your FBI investigation, who did you discover was coming to the clinic? Where were they from? Were they using or selling the pills? 

Surveillance and the use of undercover officers revealed that most "patients" were traveling to the clinics from as far north as Appalachia and west as Texas. Coordination with agents and officers in Appalachia revealed that many of the "patients" were not only addicts and users but dealers as well, who distributed their pills on the streets of Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee, etc. They came to the clinics monthly to resupply and sometimes paid extra to clinic employees to get to "the front of the line."

Opioid pills found at the site of the crime scene. Courtesy of FBI MM-ERT (CJD)

In the documentary, you say, “The George brothers did not start the opioid crisis. But they sure as hell poured gasoline on the fire.” How many opioid deaths were reported during this time?

The total number of opioid deaths is unknown. However, we can estimate that as many as 2,800 (or more) of the George brothers' patients may have died directly from opioid use. This only addresses their primary customers who traveled to the clinics, not the secondary and tertiary drug market users. 

What was the most shocking thing you uncovered in your five-year investigation?

The most shocking thing we discovered was that the George brothers, the doctors, and most clinic workers knew that patients were dying but continued to sell pills in increasingly more significant numbers.

These blue M-30 pills are Oxycodone, which were sold at the American Pain clinic. 

Your investigation ultimately shut down the clinic in March 2010. What changes have been implemented to prevent pill mills in the future?

Partially, as a result of this investigation, the state of Florida finally implemented a prescription drug monitoring program and changed the rules for doctors acting as "dispensaries."  Additionally, this investigation's publicity and the threat of jail had a cooling effect on the problem here in Florida.

What else do you hope changes to address the high number of overdose deaths, especially from fentanyl?

I sincerely believe that law enforcement is not the immediate solution to this problem but rather legislation and funding for education, addiction counseling, and treatment.

To learn more about the George brothers and their infamous Florida drug empire, tune in to American Pain next Sunday, February 5, at 9 pm ET/PT.

CNN Films and HBO Docs earn Oscar nominations

After great anticipation, nominations for the 2023 Academy Awards were announced earlier this week. Among the works highlighted was Navalny, CNN's groundbreaking documentary that follows Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny through his political rise, attempted assassination and search to uncover the truth. 

The critically-acclaimed film was nominated for Best Documentary Feature Film along with four other projects. 

“This unbelievable honor is a reminder that the world has not forgotten about Alexey Navalny," said Navalny director Daniel Roher. "We hope this recognition helps introduce Navalny’s anti-authoritarian activism, anti-war advocacy and the hope he has inspired in tens of millions worldwide. I want to thank the entire team with whom this film would otherwise not have been possible, especially Alexey Navalny. Alexey, you are a flickering light in a sea of darkness.”

Two HBO Documentaries were also nominated in the category.

All That Breathes follows two brothers who run a bird hospital dedicated to rescuing injured black kites, a staple in the skies of New Delhi, India.

“We are beside ourselves with joy and also a bit lost for words at this moment!" said the filmmakers, Shaunak Sen (Director/Producer), Teddy Leifer (Producer) and Aman Mann (Producer). "We want to offer our deepest, heartfelt thanks to our protagonists, Nadeem, Saud and Salik who are doing incredible work. We are delighted that their story has touched so many around the world.“

The film premieres on HBO on February 7 at 9 p.m. 

All The Beauty And The Bloodshed follows the life of artist Nan Goldin and the downfall of the Sackler family, the pharmaceutical dynasty who was greatly responsible for the opioid epidemic's unfathomable death toll.

“I am grateful beyond words. It’s the honor of a lifetime to collaborate with Nan and to be entrusted by P.A.I.N. This film exists because of the work and legacy of so many great artists who used their voices to demand a better world. I am honored to be nominated alongside these powerful documentaries pushing the boundaries of cinema," said director/producer Laura Poitras. 

“P.A.I.N and I are thrilled that The Academy has nominated our film.  I’m very moved that it's touched so many people's lives.  This nomination will give the overdose crisis more visibility and hopefully remove stigma from the wrong things.  The Sacklers must be having a bad day,” said producer Nan Goldin, who is featured in the film. 

Click here to watch the trailer. The doc is in theaters now. 

The winner for Best Documentary Feature will be announced on March 12 at the 95th Academy Awards.

CNN's Little Richard film dazzles Sundance audiences with its superstar appeal

The founding father of Rock's posthumous documentary, Little Richard: I Am Everything was an audience favorite at this past week's Sundance Festival.

Directed and produced by Lisa Cortés, the film tells the story of the Black queer origins of rock n’ roll, exploding the whitewashed canon of American pop music to reveal the innovator – the originator – Richard Penniman, better known as Little Richard. 

“Little Richard is the true king of rock and roll, the alpha and omega of wild, rhythm-based music,” said Magnolia Pictures President Eamonn Bowles. “Lisa Cortés does the legend proud, getting the true story that celebrates this icon who shook the culture in so many ways.”

Magnolia Pictures is expected to release the film in April, with a special on-air premiere scheduled later this year on CNN. 

This edition was written and edited by Alexis Garfield and Janelle Davis.