$468,616 Federal Grant Slated For Flood

Affidavit Lists Guns-for-drugs Scheme 
Authorities Claim William 
Jenkins Bartered Guns For Drugs 
As Part Of A Simple, Yet Very 
Effective Criminal Operation

By TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Friday, January 31, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





WILKES-BARRE -- Some of Dr. Frank Peterson's patients never got the pain
relief they sought, but they can at least take comfort in knowing he faces up
to 54 years in jail. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The former Hazleton area anesthesiologist pleaded guilty Thursday to
charges he stole pain medications from patients to feed his own drug habit.
The incidents occurred during his two-month stint when he worked at Hazleton
St. Joseph Medical Center. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A handful of his victims watched as Peterson entered the plea to 16 counts
of simple assault and one count each of burglary, theft by unlawful taking and
violation of the Controlled Substance before Luzerne County Judge Michael
Conahan. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Most of the victims, many of whom are part of a civil suit against
Peterson, declined to answer questions following the brief hearing in Luzerne
County Court of Common Pleas. One woman who did speak, but asked not to be
identified, said only that she was pleased the criminal case was over. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Peterson has admitted to several prior drug-related arrests in several
different states. Those incidents might play a role in his sentencing, which
is set for Feb. 25. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He faces up to 54 years in jail if given the maximum sentence on each
charge. But Joseph Vullo, the Luzerne County prosecutor who handled the case,
noted there is no minimum sentence. That gives the judge considerable leeway. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Vullo said one thing is for certain: Peterson will not practice medicine
for at least 10 years. That's the minimum suspension for a felony conviction
on a drug charge -- one of the charges to which Peterson pleaded. His license
could also be revoked. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Clad in tan pants and a wrinkled white shirt, Peterson said nothing as he
was led handcuffed from the courtroom. His attorney, Frank Nocito, said
Peterson is remorseful. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Dr. Peterson is extremely contrite. I believe he demonstrated that today,"
Nocito said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Peterson was arrested last August after officials at Hazleton-St. Joseph
told police they suspected he was stealing drugs from patients. Some
intravenous solutions Peterson had prepared were tested and found to have only
25 percent of the pain killing medication they were supposed to contain. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pat Ward, spokesman for Hazleton-St. Joseph, said Thursday the hospital
told police of its suspicions as soon as questions about Peterson arose. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Doctors in the Hazleton area provide quality care on a daily basis.
Unfortunately Dr. Peterson was an aberration we hope never happens again,"
Ward said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The criminal case is resolved, but Peterson still faces more than a dozen
civil lawsuits filed by former patients, including one which could become a
class action suit representing as many as 200 people. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Peterson's guilty plea will help the plaintiffs' case, but it won't
completely resolve the matter, said Joseph Lach, the attorney who filed the
class action suit. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 TIMES LEADER/BOB ESPOSITO &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Former Hazleton area anesthesiologist Dr. Frank Peterson leaves the
courtroom Thursday after pleading guilty to charges in connection with using
drugs meant for his patients' pain relief. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Doctor Admits Stealing Drugs Ex-anesthesiologist Pleads Guilty To Charges Relating To Theft Of Drugs Meant For His Patients