Editorial staff
The Morning Journal, Lorain, Ohio
(TNS)
A former Ohio pharmacist who was indicted more than a decade ago and was a fugitive on the run, has pleaded guilty to his role in defrauding the IRS.
Sbeih Sbeih, 57, previously of North Olmsted, OH, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the IRS.
In February, Sbeih was arrested in the eastern European country of Georgia after he was a fugitive for 11 years.
According to allegations in court documents filed in 2014, Sbeih was a registered pharmacist licensed by the Ohio Pharmacy Board.
Together with co-defendant Osama Salouha, 54, previously of Strongsville, the men conspired to divert proceeds from Salouha’s businesses, Southside Pharmacy in Lorain, and Medicine Center Pharmacy in Elyria, into personal, non- business bank accounts to otherwise conceal income from their accountant and the IRS.
Salouha additionally was charged for his role in illicitly selling opioids and opiates.
Salouha remains a fugitive.
His wife, Samah Salouha, 48, also previously of Strongsville, pleaded guilty in 2015 for her role in the conspiracy for making false statements and structuring bank deposits to avoid triggering bank reports to the IRS.
She was sentenced to three years of probation.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, FBI Cleveland Division, Ohio Board of Pharmacy, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Akron Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Drug Task Force, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Lorain County Drug Task Force, Strongsville Police Department, MEDWAY Drug Enforcement Agency and the Cleveland Heights Police Department.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael L. Collyer.
Photo credit: YouTube
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© 2026 The Morning Journal, Lorain, Ohio. Visit www.morningjournal.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC.
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Tags: defrauding the IRS, guilty pleas, Income Taxes, IRS, pharmacist, Taxes
