Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

COEUR D’ALENE – Steven R. Milot, 66, of Kellogg, Idaho, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Milot was charged in a one count information filed in United States District Court on July 24, 2012.

According to the plea agreement, Milot was employed as a pharmacist at Osburn Drug in Kellogg for many years. In 2012, the owner became suspicious that Milot was misappropriating controlled substances. After conducting an abbreviated audit, the owner found that the pharmacy was short several controlled substances; video surveillance recorded Milot misappropriating the drugs. Milot admitted to stealing large quantities of Oxycontin for his personal use. In order to cover up the theft and avoid detection, Milot ordered controlled substances via wire transmissions.

The charge of wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.

Sentencing is set is November 12, 2013, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Coeur d’Alene.

The case was investigated by the Tactical Diversion Group of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Idaho State Police.