BUFFALO, NY – Kelsey A. Mulvey, 27, of Grand Island, NY, is facing serious federal charges after allegedly pilfering powerful pain medications from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and replacing them with tap water, potentially infecting patients. U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Mulvey has been charged by criminal complaint with illegally obtaining controlled substances by fraud, tampering, and violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to the complaint, Mulvey, a former nurse at the renowned cancer center, exploited her access to the Pyxis automated medication dispensing system to steal vials of hydromorphone (Dilaudid), methadone, oxycodone – all Schedule II controlled substances – and lorazepam, a Schedule IV controlled substance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti detailed how Mulvey allegedly swapped the medications for water, a chilling betrayal of the trust placed in her by some of the region’s most vulnerable patients.
The scheme began to unravel in June 2018 when Roswell Park flagged a high number of “cancelled removed” transactions linked to Mulvey in the Pyxis system. These transactions indicated medication was accessed but not properly administered, with investigators suspecting she was substituting the drugs with water. Disturbingly, many of these incidents occurred on floors where she wasn’t even assigned, and even during scheduled vacation time. The complaint alleges Mulvey failed to properly administer medication to a staggering 81 patients between February and June 2018.
The consequences of Mulvey’s alleged actions were potentially dire. In June and July 2018, Roswell Park experienced a cluster of waterborne infections, with six patients reportedly becoming infected as a direct result of receiving contaminated medication. This isn’t simply about drug theft; it’s about jeopardizing the lives of cancer patients already battling a deadly disease. Mulvey resigned her position “in lieu of termination” on July 13, 2018, but the investigation continued.
“Once again, this case illustrates the destructive power of opioid addiction,” stated U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “But the harm caused by defendant’s actions resulted not only in harm to herself but in harm to some of the most compromised and vulnerable individuals in our community—those members of our community receiving cancer treatments.” The FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, led by Special Agent-in-Charge Jeffrey J. Ebersole, and the FBI Buffalo field office, under Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert, spearheaded the investigation, highlighting the multi-agency effort to combat healthcare fraud and protect patients.
“Patients deserve to have confidence that they are receiving the proper treatment,” Ebersole emphasized. Loeffert added that accessibility to drugs makes it easier for medical professionals to fuel addiction, putting both their own health and the wellbeing of patients at risk. Mulvey made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy today. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds, exposing the dark underbelly of healthcare corruption and drug abuse.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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