Dr. Donald J. Dinello, a dentist with practices in Harrisburg and Hershey, Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay $120,000 in civil penalties for alleged violations of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The announcement was made by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

The CSA aims to combat illegal distribution and abuse of controlled substances by enforcing strict recordkeeping and prescribing requirements. These measures are intended to prevent the diversion of these substances for illegal use. The Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Diversion Control Division is responsible for ensuring compliance with these regulations.

Allegations against Dr. Dinello claim that between January 2023 and August 2024, he failed to use DEA form 222 for each distribution of Schedule II Controlled Substances and did not maintain accurate records or biennial inventories at his registered locations. Additionally, there was an instance where he did not issue a prescription for a Schedule IV controlled substance as required by professional practice standards.

U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam emphasized the importance of proper recordkeeping by practitioners registered with the DEA: “Practitioners who register with DEA in order to prescribe and dispense medications that fall under the Controlled Substances Act have an obligation to prescribe appropriately and keep careful records and inventories.”

Thomas Hodnett, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Philadelphia Field Division, added: “The goal of DEA’s closed system of distribution is to ensure accountability for controlled substances and physicians who fail to maintain proper records create conditions ripe for diversion.”

The settlement agreement does not constitute an admission of liability by Dr. Dinello nor a concession by the United States regarding its claims.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA’s Diversion Control Division and handled by Assistant United States Attorney Tamara J. Haken along with the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit within the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.