Pennsylvania Woman Charged with Obtaining 8,300 Oxycontin Pills through False Cancer Diagnosis

Strategic Insights -

A Monroe County woman, Brandi Leigh Bachman, has been charged with 21 felony counts of acquiring controlled substances through fraud, identity theft, and criminal use of a communication facility. Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the charges against Bachman, who allegedly obtained nearly 8,300 oxycodone pills from 19 different providers in Monroe, Lehigh, and Carbon counties by falsely claiming she had terminal cancer. The investigation revealed that Bachman submitted forged documents as proof of her diagnosis and used stolen identities of three physicians to further her fraudulent claims.

Key Takeaways:

  • Brandi Leigh Bachman, a 40-year-old woman from Monroe County, was charged with 21 felony counts, including acquisition of a controlled substance by fraud, identity theft, and criminal use of a communication facility.
  • Bachman allegedly obtained nearly 8,300 oxycodone pills from 19 different providers in Monroe, Lehigh, and Carbon counties while claiming she had terminal cancer.
  • The investigation revealed that Bachman submitted forged documents as proof of her diagnosis and used stolen identities of three physicians to further her fraudulent claims.
  • Bachman's scheme allowed her to access opioids for years while deceiving providers who believed they were treating legitimate pain from a terminal illness.
  • The case was investigated by the Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics - Allentown and will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Christie Bonesch.
  • Bachman's bail was set at $25,000, and her preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 14.

Statistics:

  • 8,298: The number of oxycodone tablets obtained by Bachman through her scheme.
  • 19: The number of different providers from whom Bachman obtained oxycodone pills.
  • 21: The number of felony counts charged against Bachman, including acquisition of a controlled substance by fraud, identity theft, and criminal use of a communication facility.
  • 3: The number of physicians whose identities were stolen by Bachman.

Sources:

  • Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
  • https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/monroe-county-woman-charged-with-using-false-cancer-diagnosis-to-obtain-nearly-8300-oxycodone-pills-from-providers-in-three-counties/