New Castle Doctor Charged with Distributing Medications Outside the Course of Professional Practice

PITTSBURGH – On Dec. 13, 2017, a resident of New Castle, Pa., was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The 26-count indictment named Dr. Thomas A. Ranieri, 64, of New Castle, Pa.

According to the indictment presented to the court, from Jan. 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.

The law provides for a maximum sentence, at each of the 26 counts, of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is 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 Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Section conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ranieri.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.