HARTFORD, CONN. – In a shocking display of greed and disregard for human life, 58-year-old West Haven nurse Tara Severino has pleaded guilty to diverting narcotics from dying veterans under her care at the West Haven VA Medical Center.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Severino ingested fentanyl, hydromorphone, and oxycodone intended for patients in her care from January to July 2023. The defendant, who was employed as a registered nurse in the VA’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), repeatedly administered drugs to patients and then ingested the remaining portion, often claiming the patient was in pain or having a seizure.
In one particularly heinous instance, Severino introduced fentanyl into the system of a braindead patient 19 times over a nine-day period, all so she could get her hands on more of the highly addictive substance. This not only affected the patient’s treatment but also skewed the medical staff’s decisions, leading them to believe the patient was receiving the prescribed narcotics.
To cover her tracks, Severino falsified medical records and tracking systems, claiming the narcotics were properly administered or disposed of. The brazen deceit continued even as she volunteered to care for a patient not formally assigned to her, diverting pain medication before he died.
Severino’s crimes have left a trail of devastation in their wake, and now she faces the consequences. The 58-year-old nurse pleaded guilty to obtaining controlled substances by fraud or subterfuge, a charge that carries a maximum four-year prison sentence. She is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on September 12 and is currently out on a $25,000 bond.
If you or someone you know may have been victimized by Severino’s actions, please contact Special Agent Abraham Raymond at (202) 262-2337 or abraham.raymond@va.gov. This matter is being investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General, and the case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Donovan and Christopher Lembo.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of addiction and the importance of holding those in positions of trust accountable for their actions. As the Grimy Times continues to unravel the complexities of this case, one thing is clear: Tara Severino’s actions have left a lasting impact on the lives of those she was sworn to protect.
Related Federal Cases
- West Haven Woman Gets 6 Years for Deadly Drug Ring · Mississippi
- New Haven Heroin & Crack Dealer Gets 2 Years · Connecticut
- Rodriguez Gets 6 Years in New Haven Heroin Ring · Connecticut
- Rivera Gets 7 Years for Fair Haven Heroin Ring · Connecticut
- New Haven’s Fonz Gets More Time for Supervised Release Violation · Connecticut
Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News