Sean Falzarano, 38, of Southbury, Connecticut, pleaded guilty today in federal court to charges related to tampering with and stealing Lorazepam vials at Yale New Haven Hospital, where he was employed as a nurse. Falzarano admitted to tampering with a consumer product and acquiring a controlled substance by fraud.
Falzarano, employed as a Registered Nurse, was granted access to secure areas of the hospital where controlled substances, including Lorazepam, were stored. On January 31, 2022, Falzarano removed Lorazepam solution from at least one vial intended for patient use, replacing it with an inert solution before returning it to the secure location. He also kept at least one vial of Lorazepam for himself.
Tampering with a consumer product is a serious offense, carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, while acquiring a controlled substance by fraud can lead to up to four years of imprisonment. Falzarano’s nursing license has been suspended, and he was released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing, scheduled for March 5.
The case highlights the importance of maintaining security and accountability in healthcare settings to ensure patient safety.