FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A Florida doctor has been formally charged with a felony for allegedly removing fentanyl from an ICU patient’s IV during a night shift at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital.
Authorities filed the charge on Monday, alleging that Dr. Sasha Boris Grek, a 52-year-old anesthesiologist and critical care physician, withdrew the powerful opioid directly from a patient’s IV line using a syringe in December 2024.
According to Lt. Andrew Bolonka of the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, colleagues observed Dr. Grek displaying unusual behavior. Surveillance footage and a nurse’s cell phone recording allegedly captured him taking fentanyl from a patient’s infusion pump.
Hospital staff immediately reported the incident to law enforcement. An internal review reportedly confirmed discrepancies in medication dosages, prompting the State of Florida to charge Dr. Grek with possession of a controlled substance—fentanyl or a fentanyl derivative.
The case was formally filed on June 23 by State Attorney Thomas R. Bakkedahl in St. Lucie County Circuit Court. Dr. Grek has a prior history involving controlled substances, including a 2006 arrest in Alachua County for 129 counts of obtaining controlled substances by fraud and one count of cocaine trafficking. He pled no contest to four counts of obtaining controlled substances by fraud and received five years’ probation.
Dr. Lewis Nelson, Dean of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, commented on the case: “This is an all too common problem that we see in health care…unless we monitor people constantly, it’s difficult to prevent these types of activities.”
Court documents indicate the prosecution believes it has sufficient evidence, including sworn witness statements, to proceed with the case.
HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital stated: “Our team discovered the possible diversion, alerted law enforcement, and assisted with their investigation. The physician no longer practices at our facility, and we remain committed to the highest standards of care and professional conduct.”
If convicted, Dr. Grek faces up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
