WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) - A former Mount Vernon police officer has been indicted on charges he used forged prescriptions to obtain painkillers.
Joseph Russo, of Patterson, was arraigned Thursday in Westchester County. His attorney, Andrew Quinn, said he’s optimistic that all of the charges will be dismissed.
Prosecutors say that between March 2011 and March 2012, Russo used prescriptions bearing a forged doctor’s signature to get at least 1,470 hydrocodone pills from five pharmacies.
They say he covered some of the cost by filing insurance claims. The insurer contacted police.
He is charged with 18 counts of possession of a forged instrument.
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