WCDO Radio News

New York Attorney General Letitia James joined a coalition of 36 other attorneys general and the U.S. Department of Justice in securing $36.5 million from CVS Pharmacy, for fraudulently over-billing Medicaid for insulin prescriptions. From 2010 to 2020, CVS knowingly dispensed more insulin to customers than they needed while maintaining that they were reporting the correct amount of insulin in their prescriptions. The fraudulent claims allowed the company to rake in millions in extra reimbursements from Medicaid for insulin distribution. CVS will pay more than $25 million to state Medicaid programs across the country, including $2.25 million to New York.

State & Local fire investigators are trying to determine what started the fire early Tuesday morning at the former Cooperstown Motel at 90 Chestnut Street in the village of Cooperstown. The Heirs of Al O’Brien were expected to sell the property to the CVS Pharmacy chain, with a closing scheduled for August 22nd, the Village of Cooperstown board will hold a special meeting on Friday to discuss their option. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, the Motel had been empty for several months & furniture had been removed for auction.

Fire damaged the Cooperstown Motel around 2:30 Tuesday morning. Firefighters arrived at the 90 Chestnut Street Location, firefighters from several area departments responded, with no injuries reported. The Motel was vacant following the death of the owner earlier this year; the property was about to be sold to the CVS Pharmacy chain. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The State Department of Health today announced an agreement with CVS/pharmacy that will help prevent opioid overdose deaths in New York State. This agreement is already in effect, it authorizes 479 CVS pharmacy locations across the State to provide naloxone to their customers without a prescription. Pharmacists are currently receiving training and ordering naloxone for their stores. Naloxone reverses opioid overdoses, When administered either through injection or by nasal spray, naloxone temporarily blocks the effects of opioids, allowing a stricken individual to regain consciousness and resume normal breathing.

State Police received a report from a resident in Roxbury, that an X-Acto knife type razor blade was found inside a sealed bag of Sour Skittles which had been obtained while Trick or Treating. The candy was not opened until opened on November 9th; it has been traced back to the purchase point of the CVS Pharmacy in Margaretville. The investigation has not been able to identify the source of the razor blade and parents all over the region are recommended to thoroughly check all candy prior to consumption.

Delaware County Sheriff's Investigators arrested 29 year old Lisa Regg of Walton following a joint investigation with Cooperstown Village Police, the State Department of Health Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement, & CVS Pharmacy.  Regg was charged with 1 count each of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, & Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, for allegedly possessing and presenting a forged Prescription form from Bassett Hospital at the Walton CVS and illegally obtaining and possessing a quantity of Hydrocodone.  Regg was also charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance after a search of her purse revealed Vicodin tablets.  Regg was arraigned and was remanded to the Delaware County jail on $3,000 cash bail pending a felony hearing Friday & other court action in the Town of Delhi Court at a later date.