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An Athens woman was arrested last week on felony theft charges as part of an investigation initiated by Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange’s office.
Britney Lauren Forsyth, 29, of 25593 Caladera Drive, allegedly filled prescriptions for hydrocodone but kept the pills while employed as a licensed practical nurse at Athens Rehabilitation Center and Senior Care in Athens.
Strange presented evidence about Forsyth’s alleged crime to the Limestone County Grand Jury, resulting in an indictment on July 24. She was arrested on second-degree theft charges by Limestone County deputies on Thursday and later released on $2,500 bond.
The charges allege that Forsyth refilled several prescriptions for hydrocodone — a schedule-2 opioid and a controlled substance — to be filled before they were actually needed. Strange’s office alleges she then picked up the prescriptions, but did not record and store them for distribution to the patients.
“This was discovered when staff at the facility attempted to call in the correct refill prescriptions,” said a release from Strange’s office. “Forsyth also attempted to conceal the theft by manipulating the required narcotic documentation log.”
If convicted, Forsyth faces up to 10 years in prison on the charges.
Strange commended the staff and administration of Athens Rehabilitation Center and Senior Care, as well as his Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for the investigation of the case.