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Doctor's Assistant Charged With Illegally Procuring Drug

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By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 2, 2008

TAMPA - A dermatologist's assistant is accused of using the doctor's authorization without his knowledge to obtain hydrocodone, a prescription painkiller, records show.

Annamaria Leonardi-Suro, 34, is charged with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, a felony. She was released on her own recognizance today.

Records list Leonardi-Suro as a medical assistant for John Cottam, a Tampa dermatologist. The doctor's office confirmed her employment but declined additional comment.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office arrested Leonardi-Suro and Cody Watson, 28, a roommate, about 12:50 p.m. Wednesday. Watson is charged with the same felony and is free on $2,000 bail.

According to an affidavit, Leonardi-Suro on Sept. 13 provided Cottam's Drug Enforcement Administration authorization number to Watson to call in a fraudulent prescription for 24 hydrocodone pills.

Leonardi-Suro then drove Watson to a CVS pharmacy on East Fowler Avenue, where Watson picked up the pills, the affidavit states.

Cottam did not authorize the prescription, the affidavit states.

In the affidavit, Leonardi-Suro told investigators she had obtained prescriptions through similar means on four other occasions. Sheriff's spokesman J.D. Callaway had no information today on those instances.

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800 or vkalfrin@tampatrib.com.

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