Kristy Brucz, Controlled Substance Theft, New York 2018

In a shocking case of prescription fraud, Kristy Brucz, 34, of Buffalo, New York, pleaded guilty to obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. The charge carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, Brucz was an employee and office manager for a Williamsville physician between 2015 and March 28, 2018. In that position, Brucz was given access to the physician’s prescription pad and a New York State issued controlled substance electronic prescribing hard token (prescribing token) and its related passwords.

Brucz, without the physician’s authorization, issued or caused to be issued 166 fraudulent prescriptions using the physician’s name, the physician’s prescription pad, and prescribing token. The prescriptions were issued in either Brucz’s name, the names of associates, or fictitious individuals.

The defendant then filled the prescriptions, totaling approximately 11,885 dosage units, from various local pharmacies, and diverted them for her personal use. The controlled substances included hydrocodone and oxycodone.

The defendant’s scheme was discovered in March of 2018, as Brucz attempted to fill a prescription at Rite Aid Pharmacy. The pharmacist questioned the legitimacy of the prescription and contacted the physician for whom defendant worked.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 19, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.

As the investigation revealed, Brucz’s actions were a serious breach of trust and a threat to public safety. Her guilty plea is a step towards holding her accountable for her crimes.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/former-medical-practice-office-manager-pleads-guilty-stealing-controlled-substances