Tewksbury man convicted of selling hospital's prescription drugs

BOSTON -- A former drug buyer for a major Boston hospital was convicted on Monday of diverting about $548,000 worth of prescription drugs and other pharmaceuticals to a New Jersey pharmacist for resale.

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Mark A. Catanzano, 50, of Tewksbury, then used about $415,000 in proceeds from the scheme to pay down the mortgage on his home, make home improvements, and buy a new car, a timeshare in Aruba and other personal items, prosecutors said.

Catanzano, who worked at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center since 1976, oversaw drug purchasing for the hospital. He was asked by a former co-worker, Grace Dube, to sell insulin to a pharmacist in New Jersey, prosecutors said.

Between August 2001 and March 2002, Catanzano ordered insulin, flu vaccine, Cipro, Celebrex, Lipitor and other drugs on Beth Israel's account at discounted wholesale prices, then sent them to the pharmacist, Joseph E. Chebli, prosecutors said.

Catanzano pleaded guilty in federal court to a 44-count indictment charging him with conspiracy, unlicensed wholesale distribution of prescription drugs, sale of prescription drugs which had been purchased by a hospital, fraud against a federally funded organization, engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from unlawful activity and making false statements.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 22. Catanzano faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the unlicensed wholesale distribution and monetary transaction charges, and lesser sentences on the other charges. The federal government is also seeking the forfeiture of several bank accounts, a car and Catanzano's home.

Chebli and Dube were also charged for their roles in the scheme. Both pleaded guilty, were placed on probation and agreed to temporarily surrender their pharmacists' licenses.