Mesa Man Indicted for Forging Prescriptions to Buy Narcotics

(Phoenix, Ariz. – August 21, 2008) Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced that Robert Edward Dziezynski, 33, of Mesa, has been indicted on one count of fraudulent schemes and artifices, three counts of acquisition of narcotic drugs by fraud, eight counts of forgery, one count of impersonating a peace officer and two counts of theft. The charges, all felonies, relate to Dziezynski allegedly forging prescriptions to purchase narcotic drugs.

According to court documents, between August 3, 2007, and June 11, 2008, Dziezynski submitted 25 forged prescriptions for Actiq (also known by the generic name Fentanyl), a Schedule II Narcotic drug used for treating pain in cancer patients. He allegedly forged prescriptions by six different physicians and made them out to himself as well as his ex-girlfriend, father and mother. It is further alleged that when asked for identification by pharmacy employees, Dziezynski stated he was a police officer and presented a police badge and identification card.

Court documents state that Dziezynski filled the prescriptions at 15 different pharmacies and purchased the drugs using coverage offered through Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Arizona insurance policies in Dziezynski’s name and the names of his ex-girlfriend and father without their knowledge or consent. Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Arizona paid over $77,000 for the forged prescriptions.

Dziezynski served as a Phoenix Police officer from September 1999 through December 2002. His AZ POST certification was revoked in May 2004.

If convicted, Dziezynski faces 46.5 years in prison. This case is the result of an investigation by the Department of Insurance. Assistant Attorney General Beverly Rudnick is prosecuting this case.