A woman who worked as an office manager for a Manhattan physician has been indicted on federal charges of unlawfully distributing oxycodone, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said Wednesday.
29-year old Sarah Harding-Huffine of Manhattan is charged with one count of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances and one count of unlawfully distributing controlled substances. The indictment alleges Harding-Huffine used blank, pre-signed prescription forms to issue prescriptions for oxycodone, a Schedule II pain reliever.
Harding-Huffine worked for Dr. Michael P. Schuster at the New Medical Group PC, New Medical Group, Advisor’s Medical and Manhattan Pain and Spine located at 1135 Westport Drive in Manhattan. Schuster was indicted in May on charges of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances and unlawfully distributing controlled substances.
Harding-Huffine was not a licensed health care provider and was not authorized to distribute controlled substances to Schuster’s patients. The indictment alleges she used blank prescription forms signed by Schuster to issue controlled substances. The indictment alleges 31 instances in which Harding-Huffine issued prescriptions for oxycodone while Schuster was out of the office traveling to other countries including Russia, South Africa, Canada, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Israel and Paraguay.
If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million on each count. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanya Treadway is prosecuting.
