Doctor admits forging prescriptions for painkillers

A suspended New Jersey physician wrote fraudulent prescriptions for opiates on prescription blanks he obtained in another doctor's name, authorities said.

Monmouth County prosecutors say Kenneth Lewandowski, 53, admitted his involvement in a prescription painkiller ring when he pleaded guilty Monday to distributing/dispensing oxycodone and unlawful practice of medicine. He ran a pain management center in Red Bank.

The Middletown resident faces a six-year prison term when he's sentenced April 15. He also must permanently surrender his medical license

Lewandowski admitted that after his license was suspended, he got blank prescription pads in the name of another doctor with whom he was discussing going into business with in 2014.

Prosecutors say he then gave some of the blank prescription pads to his office manager, who allegedly sold them to Lewandowski's former patients so they could get prescription painkillers.

Lewandowski admitted that he forged prescriptions in the other doctor's name to four of his former patients who ultimately obtained 120 oxycodone pills each. Lewandowski also admitted to signing the other doctor's name without his permission, and indicated that the other doctor had never treated these patients.

"Many in our families and communities are fighting for their lives against this deadly prescription painkiller and heroin epidemic. The very professionals we entrust to heal and treat our citizens cannot feed off the victims and addictions they helped perpetuate," Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said.

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