Psychiatrist Thomas Radecki charged with trading drugs for sex

August 20, 2013

A Pennsylvania psychiatrist who operated four drug addiction treatment clinics has been charged with over-prescribing medications and trading treatments for sex, state prosecutors said Tuesday.

Dr. Thomas Radecki, 67, of Clarion, operated offices and clinics in Clarion, Venango, McKean and Clearfield counties.

Prosecutors with the state attorney general's office said that in the first five months of 2012, before his clinics were closed, Radecki was the largest purchaser and distributor of Subutex - a drug used for the treatment of opiate addition - in the United States.

Authorities said that in 2011 and 2012, Radecki purchased and distributed Subutex, Adderall and Ritalin with an estimated street value of more than $5 million, and evidence before a grand jury revealed that many patients did not need the drugs, but allegedly resold them.

The grand jury additionally found that Radecki accepted only cash payments from patients, including those who had medical assistance and insurance, but submitted claims to private insurance companies.

Authorities said the investigation further revealed that Radecki had inappropriate physical contact and sexual relationships with several patients, and repeatedly invited female patients to move in with him.

Agents said that female patients who lived with Radecki worked at his clinics, had access to other patient files and were given money and drugs.

Radecki was charged with 13 counts of prescribing outside accepted treatment principles, four counts of provider prohibited acts, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in unlawful proceeds, one count of theft by deception and one count of insurance fraud.

He was released on $25,000 bail pending a preliminary hearing set for September 3.

Source: Myles Snyder, "AG: Pa. psychiatrist traded drug treatments for sex," WHTM (ABC-27), August 20, 2013.