CT Pharmacist Sentenced In Drug Tampering Case: Feds

HARTFORD, CT — A Wolcott pharmacist was sentenced to four years and three months in prison for tampering with and stealing infusing drugs while he was employed by a Connecticut company, according to a statement from federal prosecutors. Carl Mancini, 43, will also serve three years of supervised release.

According to prosecutors, Mancini was employed as a licensed pharmacist by a Connecticut company that prepared home or hospice care intravenous infusions for a variety of medical conditions.

Between approximately January and June 2019, Mancini accessed a secure area of his workplace and took vials of infusion drugs, including hydromorphone hydrochloride and morphine sulfate pentahydrate, that were intended for patient use. He used a syringe to withdraw the drugs from the vials and reinjected saline into the vials so that it would appear as if the drugs were not missing, according to prosecutors.

To hide his tampering, Mancini used specialized crimping tools to reseal the vials. He then returned the vials to the secure area at his workplace.

Family members of several patients testified at U.S. District Court in Hartford that the tampered infusion drugs intended for pain management in end-of-life care appeared to be ineffective.

The investigation revealed that in 2003, Mancini stole drugs from a previous employer, a pharmacy that provided pharmaceutical products to long-term care facilities.

He was charged with state offenses, resigned, and received an adjudication under Connecticut’s accelerated rehabilitation provision, according to the statement.

In 2007, Mancini wrote prescriptions for himself while working as a clinical pharmacist. He was again arrested on state charges, convicted, and received a one-year suspended sentence and two years of probation.

As part of the resolution of his 2007 conviction, Mancini lost his pharmacist license and agreed never to apply for one again. However, he later reapplied for and was granted a license.

On Dec. 13, 2019, Mancini pleaded guilty to one count of tampering with a consumer product.

Mancini, who was released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on Nov. 16.