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.
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