This 'Doctor's' Office Was In Prison: The U.S. Attorney's Office

PROVIDENCE, RI – Michael Slonski, 47, of Johnston, is among five suspects charged with conspiracy for peddling fraudulent opioid prescriptions. He appeared in Providence federal court Oct. 17, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. The alleged ringleader, Robert Rose, was arraigned on Thursday, and the three others were in court last month. The conspirators allegedly manufactured fraudulent prescriptions to get opioid pills. Sometimes, they used medical insurance to pay for the drugs. Sometimes, they sold the pills for cash.

Rose, 51, David Rose, 58, and Tammy Bonham, 53, all of Providence; Victoria Coccia-Rose, 28, of Pawtucket, and Slonski, face four charges: conspiracy to unlawfully acquire or obtain possession of a controlled substance by fraud, to distribute a controlled substance, to commit health care fraud and to commit aggravated identity theft.

According to court papers, Robert Rose allegedly ran the conspiracy while doing time at the Adult Correctional Institution. He allegedly "paid for individuals’ identities, health care insurance information, and for various prescribing medical practitioners’ names and Drug Enforcement Administration numbers. He then forwarded that information "to another member of the conspiracy, along with special paper necessary to produce the fraudulent prescriptions."

The conspirators allegedly used doctors' signatures and other information to produce the prescriptions, without the doctors' consent.

Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch said, “Earlier this week this office announced the arrest of more than two-dozen people who allegedly contributed to the addiction epidemic that is sweeping through Rhode Island by allegedly distributing hundreds of kilograms of fentanyl and cocaine. The arrests announced today highlight yet another scheme to profit from the addiction epidemic. Law enforcement on every level will continue to work together to identify, investigate, arrest and prosecute these traffickers and schemers.”

Robert Rose made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence on Thursday and was released on unsecured bond. David Rose, Tammy Bonham and Michael Slonski made initial appearances in U.S. District Court on Oct. 17, 2017, and were released on unsecured bond. Victoria Coccia-Rose made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court on Oct. 18, and was released on unsecured bond.

Image via Shutterstock