The Foster’s Daily Democrat
DOVER, Del. — A judge at Strafford County Superior Court is considering a motion to dismiss charges against former Rochester firefighter Donald Penney, who is accused of diverting narcotic medication from patients at Frisbie Memorial Hospital.
Penney, 49, of Rochester, is facing 29 felony charges alleging he took the painkillers fentanyl and hydromorphone, which were intended for patients, and keeping the drugs for himself. He allegedly diverted the medications between April 2012 and August 2013, while working as a paramedic at Frisbie Memorial Hospital.
Charges also allege he made false statements in patients’ medical records, stating he administered the drugs to patients, when in fact he did not.
Frisbie officials say Penney, who has worked for the hospital for 20 years, was fired in August 2013 after the allegations came to light. Penney is also a former fire lieutenant for Rochester. He was placed on unpaid administrative leave last year, and now he no longer works for the city. Assistant Fire Chief Mark Dupuis said Penney hasn’t been employed by the city since about August, but he wouldn’t comment on circumstances surrounding his departure, citing it as a personnel matter.
Court officials say that a hearing on a motion to dismiss Penney’s charges was held last week at Strafford County Superior Court, but no ruling has been made so far.
Penney is scheduled to appear for a final pretrial conference on Dec. 1.
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