VA Medical Center Nurse Pleads Guilty for Stealing Narcotics

DENVER, CO – A registered nurse who worked at the Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center pleaded guilty Wednesday in Denver U.S. District Court to stealing controlled substances from the VA hospital, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Erick Lee Tombre, 46, was freed on bond and is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Robert E. Blackburn on April 12, 2019.

Tombre started work at the Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center in January, 2014. As a nurse, he had access to an automated system that dispensed controlled substances, the USAO's office said in a press release.

In February of 2017, an audit of the system showed "unusual and unaccounted for controlled substance withdrawals" during Tombre's shifts, for example withdrawing three doses of hydromorphone for the same patient three times in one hour, but the patient only receiving one dose. The audit allegedly showed that Tombre withdrew more than double the expected amount of fentanyl and he had used more hydromorphone 2 mg syringes than other nurses.

Tombre admitted to investigators from the VA's Office of Inspector General that he had stolen drugs for “a couple of years.”

"He stated he would steal the drugs by drawing up into a syringe the 'waste' remaining" after patient doses, a statement from the US Attorney's Office said. Tombre told investigators on an average shift he would take home one or two half-full syringes, the press release said.

The investigation revealed no evidence of patient harm.

Tombre faces up to four years of prison, and a fine of up to $250,000, the USAO's office said.

Image via Shutterstock

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