Nassau NY
1-24-2024 2:48am

Dr George Blatti sentenced to 15 years in jail for overprescribing opioids, which resulted in the deaths 5 patients

In a significant legal development, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced the sentencing of Dr. George Blattip to up to 15 years in prison for his involvement in overprescribing opioids, which resulted in the deaths of five patients from 2016 to 2018. The 78-year-old physician pleaded guilty on October 10, 2023, to five counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a B felony, and received his sentence on the same day from Judge Fran Ricigliano.

DA Donnelly strongly condemned Dr. Blatti's actions, emphasizing that he prescribed massive quantities of dangerous drugs to individuals showing signs of addiction and other health emergencies. She highlighted the breach of trust, as patients rely on doctors for their expertise and ethical commitment to do no harm. The sentence is intended to send a clear message about accountability in the face of overprescribing opioids amid the ongoing battle against the opioid epidemic on Long Island.

DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino echoed the severity of the situation, emphasizing the defendant's blatant disregard for a doctor's oath to do no harm. Dr. Blatti's actions led to irreversible consequences, causing five deaths and harming countless others. The DEA, along with law enforcement partners, reaffirmed their commitment to bringing individuals like Dr. Blatti to justice.

The investigation, initiated by the Nassau County Police Department's Asset Forfeiture and Intelligence Unit in August 2018, uncovered a pattern of opioid overdoses linked to Dr. Blatti's prescriptions. Collaborating with the DEA's Long Island District Office Tactical Diversion Squad, the inquiry revealed that addicted patients sought Blatti for controlled medications, and he prescribed thousands of pills without proper medical history or examination.

Dr. Blatti's unconventional practices included conducting appointments in a makeshift office in a former Radio Shack and later in his car after losing access to that space. He utilized paper prescriptions, bypassing the state's secure electronic prescription system, and continued prescribing opioids even after surrendering his medical license in June 2019.

The prosecution detailed the tragic cases of five victims, such as Geraldine Sabatasso, Michael Kinzer, Robert Mielinis, Sean Quigley, and Diane Woodring, each succumbing to fatal overdoses due to Blatti's prescriptions. The defendant was arrested on April 18, 2019, and voluntarily surrendered his medical license during the investigation.

The Nassau County District Attorney expressed gratitude to the DEA's Long Island District Office Tactical Diversion Squad and the NCPD Asset Forfeiture and Intelligence Unit for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Melissa Scannell and Senior Litigation Counsel Stefanie Palma of the Homicide Bureau, while the defense is represented by Jeff Groder, Esq.

More News from Nassau
I'm interested
I disagree with this
This is unverified
Spam
Offensive