Dr. Donald J. Dinello, a dentist with practices in Harrisburg and Hershey, Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay $120,000 in civil penalties for alleged violations of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The announcement was made by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
The CSA is designed to prevent illegal distribution and abuse of controlled substances, including prescription medications. It mandates strict recordkeeping and prescribing requirements to prevent diversion for illegal purposes. These regulations are enforced by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Diversion Control Division.
Between January 2023 and August 2024, Dr. Dinello allegedly failed to use DEA form 222 for Schedule II Controlled Substance distributions, did not maintain accurate records at his registered locations, neglected biennial inventory requirements, and once issued a prescription improperly for a Schedule IV controlled substance.
U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam stated that practitioners registered with the DEA must prescribe appropriately and keep careful records to ensure medications are handled properly and not diverted. He emphasized the office's dedication to public protection in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Thomas Hodnett, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Philadelphia Field Division, noted that proper record maintenance is crucial to preventing drug diversion. The government's pursuit of this case underscores its commitment to combating such issues.
The settlement does not constitute an admission of liability by Dr. Dinello nor a concession by the United States regarding its claims' validity.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA’s Diversion Control Division and managed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara J. Haken along with the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit within the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.