A Buffalo woman who was convicted of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, oxycodone, hydrocodone and amphetamine, has been sentenced to time served, or about 15 months, by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Prosecutors said 29-year-old Laura Ricotta conspired with licensed physician Dr. James T. Keefe and others to sell oxycodone, hydrocodone and amphetamine.
Ricotta met Dr. Keefe through her boyfriend, Benjamin Rivera.
In April 2015, Dr. Keefe asked Ricotta to allow him to issue prescriptions in her name and she agreed, prosecutors said.
Between April 20, 2015, and Feb. 20, 2018, Ricotta was issued 15 prescriptions in her own name by Dr. Keefe for controlled substances. Ricotta used the names and personal information of six relatives and associates to receive 26 fraudulent prescriptions.
None was a patient of Dr. Keefe, and none was aware that their information was being used, said prosecutors.
Dr. Keefe and Rivera were convicted and are awaiting sentencing.
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