HARRISBURG — Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced the arrest of an Allegheny County woman who stole more than $500,000 worth of a drug from her employer that is commonly used to treat opioid addiction.
Rena Schleehauf, according to the 46th Investigating Grand Jury, stole 2,206 boxes (66,180 units) of Suboxone over three years from her former employer, Johnson’s Pharmaceutical Services, while she was a lead pharmacy fill technician. Schleehauf has since admitted her theft.
“Time and again this defendant ordered drugs, paid for them with company funds, removed them from the company’s inventory once they arrived and then loaded them into her car when no one was watching,” said Attorney General Shapiro. “My Office will continue its work to stop the illegal diversion of prescription medications, and we will continue to prosecute anyone who violates the law.”
As a fill technician, Schleehauf supervised the company’s inventory and ordered medications when necessary. However, when Schleehauf ordered Suboxone from Johnson’s supplier, she later stole it from Johnson’s inventory.
After the ordering and theft of the Suboxone was discovered, Johnson’s conducted an audit and found the company, which services assisted living facilities, ordered the drug only when Schleehauf was working. Surveillance video also showed Schleehauf leaving Johnson’s to place boxes of the drug in her car.
Schleehauf has been charged with delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, theft by unlawful taking, and theft by deception.
Senior Deputy Attorney General Katherine Jordan prosecuted this case. Office of Attorney General Narcotics Agent James Embree and the West Mifflin, Allegheny County, Police Department investigated.
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