Thursday, August 29, 2019

New Castle Doctor Pleads Guilty to Illegally Prescribing and Distributing Oxycodone, Fentanyl, and Opana ER


PITTSBURGH - A resident of New Castle, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of unlawfully prescribing and distributing controlled substances, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Dr. Thomas A. Ranieri, 66, pleaded guilty to 14 counts before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Ranieri was a physician who previously practiced as an anesthesiologist and pain doctor in clinics located in New Castle, Pennsylvania and multiple locations in Ohio. From January 2, 2013 to June 26, 2013, Dr. Ranieri prescribed and distributed quantities of Schedule II controlled substances (i.e., Oxycodone, Fentanyl, and Opana ER) outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for January 14, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. The law provides for a total per count sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Ranieri on bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines and Colin J. Callahan are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Section conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ranieri.

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