Hospital pharmacist charged in theft of 200K pills
New York (AP) — Narcotics prosecutors say a major New York City hospital's former pharmacy chief stole nearly 200,000 oxycodone pills from the medical center over more than five years and fudged records to cover his tracks.
City Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan's office says Anthony D'Alessandro was arrested early Tuesday. He's awaiting arraignment. His lawyer didn't immediately return a call.
Prosecutors are still investigating what became of the drugs, but they believe the pills ended up on the thriving black market for prescription painkillers. Their street value totals about $5.6 million.
A spokeswoman for Brennan says D'Alessandro stole the pills between 2009 and this April. He's been fired from his job at Mount Sinai Beth Israel hospital. The Manhattan hospital launched the investigation.
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