A Northeast-based family doctor was charged last week with 23 counts of illegally selling prescription drugs after a federal grand jury indicted him on 26 additional counts of the same offense earlier in February.
Dr. William J. O’Brien III, 49, also is accused of conspiring with his receptionist, Angela Rongione, 29, of conspiring to operate a so-called “pill mill” out of the family practice at 9892 Bustleton Ave., as well as a second office in Levittown, Bucks County.
The latest charges, filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Feb. 24, echo the original indictment in which the defendants were accused of prescribing oxycodone and Xanax, both of which are controlled substances, to patients who had no legitimate medical reasons for obtaining those prescriptions. The defendants, who both live in Philadelphia, allegedly sold prescriptions illegally to a government informant and an undercover FBI agent, according to the U.S. Attorney.
O’Brien and Rongione face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of conspiracy. O’Brien could get an additional five years in prison for each drug distribution count, if convicted. ••
