Christopher Kania of Portage, Wisconsin, has pleaded guilty to obtaining oxycodone by use of misrepresentation, fraud, and deception. The charge carries a maximum penalty of four years in federal prison. Sentencing has been scheduled for May 26.
During the plea hearing, Kania admitted that on August 22, 2017, while working as a dentist in Mauston, Wisconsin, he wrote a prescription to his dental hygienist for oxycodone pills and asked her to fill the prescription and return the pills to him for his own use.
The hygienist, who cooperated with the investigation, complied with the request, filled the prescription, and provided Kania with all of the oxycodone. Kania compensated her for the insurance copay.
“Professionals who divert opioids fuel deadly addictions and undermine the public’s confidence in the medical community,” said Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.
“My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prosecute opioid diversion cases to the fullest extent of the law,” said Blader.
“Dentists and their employees are trusted to handle pharmaceutical medications responsibly. When these practitioners divert potent pain medications for illegitimate purposes, they sabotage the public’s trust and safety within our communities,” said Milwaukee Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Paul E. Maxwell.
“The DEA, partnered with local law enforcement and the US Attorney’s Office, will continue to investigate and prosecute unscrupulous medical professionals,” said Maxwell.
The charge against Kania was the result of an investigation conducted by the DEA Madison Office. Assistant US Attorney Diane Schlipper handled the case’s prosecution.
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