Feb 27, 2015 3 min read

HARRISBURG – A Hopwood podiatrist and six others, including a corrections officer at SCI-Greene, were charged Friday by state Attorney General Kathleen Kane in connection with a prescription drug scheme that operated for more than two years.

Dr. William Ainsley 39, of 108 Charles St., allegedly abused thousands of hydrocodone pills by prescribing high quantities of the narcotic to patients who would fill the prescriptions and return up to half of the tablets to him, the criminal complaint said.

One of the persons charged, Deven Saghy, 46, of 240 Duck Hollow Road, Uniontown, is identified in the complaint as a corrections officer at SCI-Greene. Saghy is a cousin of Ainsley, the complaint said.

Ainsley told investigators he wrote several prescriptions for narcotics for Saghy. He said she needed the medications for injuries she suffered in an attack at the prison, the complaint said.

When interviewed, Saghy told investigators Ainsley initially gave her prescriptions for hydrocodone, according to the complaint. She said she filled the prescriptions and returned half to Ainsley at his request.

A spokesman for SCI-Greene could not be reached late Friday afternoon for comment.

The investigation, conducted jointly by the state attorney general’s office and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, revealed Ainsley wrote nearly 200 prescriptions for hydrocodone in quantities ranging from 40 to 120 tablets, the majority of which his co-conspirators shared with him.

“This case demonstrates the lengths people will go to, even doctors, to abuse prescription drugs,” Kane said. “I thank the DEA for its assistance and as a partner in preventing the illegal diversion of narcotics in our communities.”

Ainsley is charged with six counts of acquisition of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge; six counts of unlawful prescription of controlled substance by practitioner; three counts of insurance fraud; and one count of criminal conspiracy.

Saghy is charged with one count of acquisition of a controlled substance by misrepresentation; one count of delivery of a controlled substance; one count of insurance fraud; and one count of criminal conspiracy.

Others charged include:

Carl Santavicca, 62, 14 E. Highland Ave., Uniontown, whi is charged with one count of acquisition of a controlled substance by misrepresentation; one count of delivery of a controlled substance; and one count of criminal conspiracy.

Robert Woleslagle, 57, 49 Lawton Ave., Uniontown, who is charged with one count of acquisition of a controlled substance by misrepresentation; one count of delivery of a controlled substance; and one count of criminal conspiracy.

Palmer Sabatine, 42, 103 Heritage Hills Road, Uniontown, identified as a teacher in the Laurel Highlands School District, who is charged with one count of acquisition of a controlled substance by misrepresentation; one count of delivery of a controlled substance; one count of insurance fraud; and one count of criminal conspiracy.

Randell Rice, 27, 47 Lawton Ave., Uniontown, who is charged with one count of acquisition of a controlled substance by misrepresentation; one count of delivery of a controlled substance; and one count of criminal conspiracy.

Scott Bloom, 43, 69 1st St., Hibbs, who is charged with one count of acquisition of a controlled substance by misrepresentation; one count of delivery of a controlled substance; one count of insurance fraud; and one count of criminal conspiracy.

The defendants will be arraigned Monday before Magisterial District Judge Michael Metros in Uniontown.