Michelle R. Tomlinson, Stealing Pain Medication, Massachusetts 2014

A chilling tale of deceit and despair has emerged from the halls of Tufts New England Medical Center, where a former clinical care technician is accused of stealing pain medication from patients in intensive care.

Michele R. Tomlinson, 29, of Somerville, has been charged with acquiring and obtaining a controlled substance by deception and subterfuge, a serious crime that carries severe penalties.

According to the charging document, on January 1, 2014, Tomlinson, who worked as a clinical care technician at Tufts New England Medical Center, diverted Dilaudid, also known as hydromorphone, from IV bags. The alleged scheme involved entering the rooms of three patients in the surgical intensive care unit under false pretenses and surreptitiously extracting Dilaudid from their IV bags through a syringe.

The Dilaudid, a potent pain medication, was meant to alleviate the suffering of patients in desperate need of relief. Instead, it was diverted by Tomlinson for her own nefarious purposes.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than four years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Jeffrey Ebersole, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations; and Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH, of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Food and Drugs, Drug Control Program, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maxim Grinberg of Ortiz’s Health Care Fraud Unit.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of trust and accountability in our healthcare system. Patients and their families have every right to expect the highest level of care and compassion from medical professionals.

As this investigation unfolds, it is clear that the consequences of Tomlinson's actions will be severe and far-reaching. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and bring you updates as more information becomes available.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/former-clinical-care-technician-charged-stealing-pain-medication-patients-intensive-care