TRUMBULL JAIL Chief denies knowing of dentist's probation

The dentist's license was suspended in 2000 for 90 days.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The doctor in charge of hiring medical professionals for the Trumbull County jail was not aware the dentist chosen for the job was on probation with the state medical board.
Dr. Philip Malvasi said he also did not know that Dr. Anthony Montevideo had permanently surrendered his drug enforcement agency permit in June 2000. The DEA permit allows dentists to write prescriptions for pain medications.
"If I would have known, I probably would not have hired him," said Dr. Malvasi of Niles, who is running for county coroner. He said as far as he knew, the dentist was in good standing. He also noted that Dr. Montevideo was willing to treat patients at the county jail, while other dentists wanted the jail inmates taken to their offices.
The Ohio State Dental Board records show Dr. Montevideo signed a consent decree in June 2000 and agreed to a 90-day suspension, to permanently surrender his DEA permit, and to attend a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.
The decree also noted that Dr. Montevideo had violated a previous consent agreement that he had signed in 1999. The dentist was accused of writing a prescription for Demerol, a prescription painkiller, not for a legitimate therapeutic purpose, state dental documents say.
The 2000 agreement further stated that Dr. Montevideo would be placed on five year's probation.
Indictments
Dr. Montevideo, 35, whose private practice is in Niles, appeared Monday before Judge Peter Kontos of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court on secret indictments on two counts of illegal processing of drug documents, aggravated possession of drugs and deception to obtain a dangerous drug. He pleaded innocent to the charges.
Police have accused him of possessing or making a false or forged prescription for OxyContin, a powerful pain medication, and of possessing the drug.
Bond was set at $10,000. A pretrial is set for Feb. 11.
Dr. Malvasi said that Dr. Montevideo did not write any prescriptions for prescription painkillers while working at the jail. He added that the dentist never asked him to write any pain medication prescriptions.
Girard Police Capt. Frank Bigowsky said the investigation originated in November in Girard when a suspicious prescription was passed. Girard police then called in DEA agents.
Employment terminated
Dr. Montevideo was the jail dentist for 16 to 18 months, but his employment was terminated in December, Dr. Malvasi said.
The dentist was to come to the jail each Friday to see inmates, but Dr. Malvasi and jail officials noted that the dentist was not showing up for appointments.
Sheriff Thomas Altiere said he had nothing to do with Dr. Montevideo's hiring. "That is all handled by the jail doctor," Altiere said.
sinkovich@vindy.com