The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

April 21, 2008

Dentist Lowe pleads guilty to felony fraud, drug counts

By Matt Snyder

FARRELL — Farrell dentist Dr. Tamara J. Lowe pleaded guilty at trial Monday before Common Pleas President Judge Francis J. Fornelli to insurance fraud and a felony drug charge.

Dr. Lowe, 47, of 1801 Roemer Blvd., had all other charges of insurance fraud, acquiring controlled substances by fraud and conspiracy to acquire controlled substances by fraud dropped in exchange for her plea.

She was orderd to pay $3,387 restitution to Highmark and Care Mark Insurance in exchange for the plea, said court documents.

Dr. Lowe was charged in December 2006 by the state Attorney General’s office with using her dental office at 919 Sharon-New Castle Road, Farrell, to call prescriptions in to local pharmacies for drugs for employees, patients, her fiancé and others.

Then Dr. Lowe and her employees would pick the drugs up and pay using their own prescription insurance. The painkilling drugs included Vicodin and Vicoprofen, which contain Hydrocodone.

Employees were reimbursed for the pills by Dr. Lowe, who took possession of them, authorities said. She used the drugs herself or in her practice, but did not sell them on the street, her lawyer Joshua D. Locke of Harrisburg said previously.

Both charges against Dr. Lowe are felonies, which will trigger a 10-year suspension of her licence to practice dentistry, he said.

As recently as two weeks ago, Dr. Lowe was attempting to fight the felony charges so that a hearing by the state Board of Dentistry would have discretion to leave her license intact.

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