Pharmacist spots alleged forgery
SCRANTON - A Honesdale man charged by the state attorney general's office Wednesday with prescription fraud allegedly altered a prescription for a powerful painkiller.
Christopher Bates, 38, 328 Cardinal Square, forged the quantity on his prescription for Percocet to make it appear he needed an additional 10 pills before he turned it in at the CVS on Moosic Street in July, a criminal complaint said.
The pharmacist noticed the apparent forgery, confirmed it with the prescribing doctor and contacted authorities, who later learned that in four months Mr. Bates had seven doctors write a total of 15 prescriptions for Percocet.
He was released on $5,000 bail after his arraignment Wednesday on three felony counts, including forgery. A preliminary hearing is set for Thursday.