Utica, N.Y. — A Central New York nurse practitioner has admitted that he gave loose opioid pills to patients without a prescription for the powerful pain medication.
The nurse practitioner, Andrew Catalone, pleaded guilty Thursday to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors.
Catalone, 72, owned his own medical practice, with offices in Auburn and Fulton, prosecutors said. He is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 18. He faces up to 20 years in prison, but as part of the plea agreement prosecutors are recommending a sentence of 4 1/3 years in prison…