Doctor Arrested for Allegedly Selling Prescriptions for Addictive Drugs at Abandoned Radio Shack

A 74-year-old doctor from New York has been arrested for allegedly selling illegal drug prescriptions out of an abandoned Radio Shack and his car, stationed at a Dunkin' Donuts parking lot.

Dr. George Blatti practiced family medicine on Long Island in Nassau County, New York. Authorities began investigating the man in August 2018. They first arrested him on April 18, and he lost his medical license in June.

Blatti was arrested again on Wednesday and arraigned on 54 criminal counts related to the allegations. Officials say he sold prescriptions for powerful and addictive drugs including opioids and amphetamine to patients he had not examined.

"Today we arrested a doctor who practiced dangerous and illegal medicine," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan in a press release. "The diversion of prescription medication has led to uncountable deaths and has paved a path to the emergence of counterfeit pills. Law enforcement is working tirelessly to identify those responsible for fueling opioid abuse and the methods traffickers employ; be it a cartel or a bad doctor."

Blatti allegedly sold the prescriptions for $200 each. It's claimed that at least five opioid-addicted patients brought the doctor "shopping lists" of drugs that he would then fill in exchange for cash. At least one overdose death is believed to be associated with the prescriptions.

He is believed to have operated out of a makeshift strip mall office that had formerly served as a Radio Shack store, and still had intact signage and branded merchandise racks. He is also alleged to have sold the prescriptions from the trunk of his car, which was parked outside locations including a Dunkin' Donuts and a hotel.

"The defendant—a longtime doctor—allegedly wrote multiple prescriptions for dangerous opioids and amphetamines in exchange for cash," said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas. "Based on our investigation, Dr. George Blatti was not operating a legitimate medical practice, did not examine his customers and was selling scripts to drug-addicted individuals in parking lots across Nassau County. Thanks to an outstanding partnership with the Nassau County Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, this defendant was arrested and will now face justice for his alleged crimes."

The doctor is accused of recklessly failing to take the medical condition of his patients into account when writing the prescriptions. It's claimed that some of the patients told Blatti about their addictions and asked him to be taken off the medications.

"Today's indictment of Dr. George Blatti sends a clear and concise message that Nassau County will not tolerate this type of pill pushing by doctors which is extremely dangerous to our residents and communities," said Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. "Defendant Blatti gave no consideration of an individual's pain management or addiction history and selfishly for financial gain, abused his position which ultimately ruined many lives."

Blatti was allowed to remain free on a bond of $50,000, and is due back in court on November 26. If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of up to 59 years in prison.

Dunkin' Donuts and Radio Shack are not suspected of taking part in any crime, nor did they have any knowledge of Blatti's alleged activities.