(WNY News Now) -U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross has announced the arrest of a nurse practitioner from North Tonawanda, NY, on charges of conspiring to distribute oxymorphone, potentially facing a 20-year prison sentence and a $1,000,000 fine.
Buffalo – Michael Ostolski, 55, hailing from North Tonawanda, NY, has been arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute oxymorphone, a potent opioid. U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross made the announcement, highlighting that this charge carries the weight of a maximum 20-year prison sentence and a substantial $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is overseeing the case, revealed that Ostolski was employed as a nurse practitioner at Acacia Family Health in Lockport, NY, where he possessed the authority to prescribe and dispense controlled substances. According to the criminal complaint, Ostolski allegedly over-prescribed oxymorphone to specific patients, who, in turn, were involved in selling some or all of the prescribed pills for financial gain. Ostolski expected these patients to share the profits during their subsequent office visits, and these visits were billed to insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid.
Data from the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement indicated that between August 2021 and September 2023, Ostolski issued approximately 123 controlled substance prescriptions for oxymorphone to co-conspirator patients, totaling more than 13,000 oxymorphone pills.
Throughout the investigation, undercover operations involved controlled purchases of oxymorphone from Ostolski, along with controlled office visits during which he received cash payments.
Following an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer, Michael Ostolski was released under certain conditions.
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