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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