Bender Claims He Did Not Know Pills Were Being Re-Sold

Former Southampton Town Board member Brad Bender, who was recently plead guilty to illegally distributing oxycodone, told 27east that he did not know he was part of a large drug ring and that he had been selling to only one person.

Bender, who was elected to the town board in 2013, allegedly obtained the painkillers from Michael Troyan, the Riverhead physician assistant charged earlier this month with conspiring to illegally distribute oxycodone.

Bender, 52, then allegedly sold the oxycodone in exchange for steroids and cash, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The oxycodone pills were then re-sold to drug abusers.

He claims that while he sold the pills knowing it was wrong, he thought it was just for the one man’s personal use and did not know that the oxycodone was being resold to drug addicts, 27east reports.

“Everyone blew this up as if I was creeping around at night selling drugs to drug dealers, which is not the case,” Bender told 27east. “I shared my medication with one other person, someone I knew, and I thought it was for personal use. It doesn’t make it right, but it is what happened.”

The Northampton resident surrendered to federal authorities on Nov. 24 and pleaded guilty in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Anne Y. Shields in Central Islip.

“Abuse of oxycodone on Long Island has reached epidemic proportions,” U.S. Attorney Robert L. Capers said in a press release. “Councilman Bender’s actions in this oxycodone distribution conspiracy victimized the very community he was entrusted to represent. [His] guilty plea should serve as a reminder that no one is above the law, including those entrusted with passing our laws.”

Bender and the prosecutors reached a plea deal that involved Bender resigned from the Town Board, paying a $100,000 bond, turning over his passport, and participating in a treatment program for three months, according to 27east.

If he has completed all of the conditions, his sentence will be reduced to less than 36 months and his fine will not be more than $5,000, 27east reports.