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Former Berks Doctor Accused Of Diverting 'Hundreds Of Doses' Of Fentanyl

A Luzerne County doctor is charged with 32 felony counts related to diverting narcotics, said the state Attorney General's Office Friday, March 22. 

Hydromorphone

Hydromorphone

Photo Credit: DEA.gov

Richard Lemaster Hubbell was arraigned Thursday at a district court, prosecutors said. 

Investigators believe Hubbell, while working as an anesthesiologist in Berks and Columbia counties, falsified records to show that patients were given fentanyl and Dilaudid, or hydromorphone. 

Detectives said they found hundreds of vials and syringes containing the two opioids at his home in Butler Township, Luzerne County. 

Hubbell allegedly diverted the substances while working at Pennsylvania Eye and Ear Surgical Center in Berks County and Berwick Hospital in Columbia County.

“This defendant took an oath to protect his patients and he abused his position of power to divert hundreds and hundreds of doses of potentially lethal substances,” said Attorney General Michelle Henry. 

“No position of power or authority provides permission to break the law, and my office will fulfill its duty to protect the public without making exceptions for title or rank.”

His bail was set at $150,000 unsecured with electronic monitoring, officials said. 

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