The Tilton Veterinarian Hospital and its owner, Dr. Sara Laroux, have agreed to pay $53,500 to the United States to settle allegations of violating the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This resolution was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack.
The CSA aims to prevent illegal activities related to controlled substances, including opioids, by mandating accurate record-keeping and inventory management. "Particularly amid an opioid crisis, compliance with the CSA’s prescription-writing and recordkeeping requirements is essential in ensuring that opioids and other addictive drugs are not diverted and abused," stated McCormack. He emphasized that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue prioritizing enforcement of this statute.
Acting DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belleau highlighted the responsibility of DEA registrants in maintaining accurate records of controlled substances. "We are committed to working with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to ensure that these rules and regulations are followed," said Belleau.
In January 2024, the DEA began investigating allegations concerning inaccuracies in Dr. Laroux's controlled substance records at the hospital. The investigation involved inspecting records and auditing controlled substance inventories at the hospital. It revealed several violations: incomplete records of received, dispensed, or destroyed substances; failure to conduct proper inventories; altered record pages; forged signatures; significant shortages of various substances; lack of effective controls against theft; and extended periods when Dr. Laroux was absent while leaving substances unsecured.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led this investigation resulting in a settlement agreement managed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Raphael Katz.
