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WILKES-BARRE — A Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center nurse accused of stealing morphine meant for dying veterans more than a year ago is still on the job, the Times Leader has learned.
A source confirmed Friday that nurse Janice Monique Matrician was transferred out of the hospital’s hospice unit and placed in a desk job in another division following an investigation launched in May 2015. Matrician was charged Wednesday with obtaining a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud and deception.
Matrician, 50, of Tamaqua, is accused of entering into the hospital’s computer system that she disposed of morphine when, federal prosecutors say, she kept the drugs for herself. Court documents indicate she will plead guilty to the charge. A plea date has not been set.
The source, a VA employee who declined to provide her name because she wasn’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly, said it’s “sad and sickening” that Matrician hasn’t been fired, particularly for the sake of the patients she’d been tasked with caring for.
“They’re our veterans. They deserve our best care,” the source said.
Matrician could not be reached for comment Friday and VA officials have remained mum about her status.
Spokesperson Bill Klaips declined to comment on the matter Wednesday, saying he was unable to discuss personnel matters. Another spokesperson, Melissa Novak, initially declined to comment on Friday but later issued a statement to the Times Leader.
“In order to maintain a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors, we maintain a ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy for behavior that is contrary to our core values,” the statement read. “While we cannot comment on the specifics of any employee of the Wilkes-Barre VAMC, we want to assure veterans in our care that we take seriously any allegations of inappropriate conduct by staff.”
The statement continued: “Whenever we become aware of any such allegation, we immediately take steps to protect the safety and well-being of patients while we gather additional information.”
The details of Matrician’s employment in the wake of criminal charges bears a striking resemblance to those of former VA nurse Richard Pieri, a Drums man accused of aiding in a veteran’s surgery earlier this year while drunk.
Authorities say Pieri, 50, stumbled into the medical center and assisted in the emergency procedure after drinking four or five beers at Mohegan Sun Pocono casino. He is charged with reckless endangerment under the Federal Assimilated Crimes Act, which allows federal prosecutors to file charges when the alleged crime occurs on federal property.
Like Matrician, Pieri was removed from a patient care position but remained on the job following his charges. He resigned March 2, two weeks after charges were first filed, and remains in plea talks with federal prosecutors.
State officials suspended Pieri’s nursing license indefinitely following his resignation.
Matrician’s license, issued in 2008, remains active with no disciplinary actions, according to state records.
Prosecutors say Matrician faces up to four years in prison and $250,000 in fines.