Psychiatrist Sentenced For Selling Prescriptions

HIGH FALLS, N.Y. -- A former psychiatrist was sentenced to more than three years in prison for selling prescriptions for OxyContin, Percocet and Xanax to Medicaid recipients for sale on the black market. David Roemer, 44, of High Falls, was one of 34 people indicted in November 2003 on charges of grand larceny, conspiracy and drug sales and possession.

Court documents state that four Bronx residents recruited Medicaid recipients from the streets and drug treatment centers in New York City. Prosecutors said the recruits went to Roemer's mid-Hudson Valley office by the van-load, from May 2002 to November 2002, and gave him money for prescriptions.

Roemer pleaded guilty to a conspiracy that involved sending the Medicaid recipients to pharmacies in the Bronx and Manhattan. Prosecutors said the recruits earned $100 a piece to purchase the drugs with their Medicaid cards and turn them over for illegal sale. Roemer, who practiced both in High Falls and in Manhattan, surrendered his medical license during the state investigation. He was sentenced in state Supreme Court in the Bronx and could spend up to 10 years in state prison. He was also ordered to pay more that $340,000 in restitution to the Medicare program.

High Falls is about 80 miles north of New York City.