A former Bassett Hospital employee was arrested on drug and other charges Thursday after a joint investigation between state Department of Health Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement and Otsego deputies.
William G. Weber, 50, of Schenevus, was charged at the sheriff's office on fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, first-degree falsifying business records and first-degree reckless endangerment, all felonies, deputies said.
The arrests stem from an investigation that began after the Department of Health bureau received information that on June 12, when Weber was a Bassett employee, he was found to be in possession of two empty vials of Fentanyl, a narcotic, and two used syringes, deputies said.
The investigation showed that Weber used the Fentanyl while on duty and made false entries in the hospital records for the distribution of narcotics, deputies said.
Bassett spokeswoman Karen Huxtable said Weber was terminated from employment as a nurse about a month ago. She said she could not discuss further details because of confidentiality restrictions, she said.
There is no evidence that any hospital patients were harmed, she said.
Sheriff Richard Devlin said he did not know if this was the only instance of such drug use by Weber.
Weber was charged in Cooperstown Village Court and sent to Otsego County jail, and later released on $2,500 bail, deputies said.
