Doctor Denies Charges In Federal Drug Conspiracy Case

BALTIMORE (AP) -- A former Frederick physician has pleaded not guilty to federal narcotics and fraud charges.

The Frederick News-Post (http://bit.ly/1Sp1JMX ) reports that 80-year-old Nicola Tauraso used a wheelchair and hearing device to participate in his arraignment Friday in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.

He is charged with health care fraud, narcotics conspiracy and 22 drug distribution counts accusing him of prescribing excessive amounts of narcotic painkillers to patients who didn't need them.

Tauraso's public defender, Patricia Richman, declined to comment after the hearing.

Tauraso was indicted last year, nearly four years after he left the country following the suspension of his Maryland medical license. He was arrested at Dulles International Airport in July as he was returning from Panama.

Fire destroyed Tauraso's Frederick medical clinic in 2010. His license has been revoked.
------
Information from: The Frederick (Md.) News-Post, http://www.fredericknewspost.com