Dentist gets probation in drug case

Saturday, August 26, 2006 Dr. Maruschak faces nine years in prison if he violates probation. YOUNGSTOWN — A Poland dentist who pleaded guilty to felony drug charges has been sentenced to three years' probation, the first 90 days of it under electronically monitored house arrest. Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court imposed the sentence Friday on Dr. Robert M. Maruschak, 71, of Algonquin Drive, who pleaded guilty to three counts each of drug trafficking and illegal processing of drug documents, all fourth-degree felonies. The original 42-count grand jury indictment returned Jan. 12 charged the dentist with 21 counts each of drug trafficking and illegal processing of drug documents last year. In entering his plea, Dr. Maruschak admitted selling or trying to sell Vicodin, a controlled substance, and writing, selling or knowingly possessing false or forged prescriptions for that drug. Fine, forfeiture The judge also suspended Dr. Maruschak's driving privileges for two years and fined him $30,000, suspending all but $3,000 of the fine. The $3,000 is to be paid within eight months. The dentist also agreed to forfeit $18,000 to the county prosecutor's Law Enforcement Trust Fund. Judge Evans warned Dr. Maruschak that violation of the terms of his probation will result in a nine-year prison sentence. Lili Reitz, executive director of the Ohio State Dental Board, said Dr. Maruschak has an active dental license expiring at the end of 2007. The board was aware of the indictment against him, but, as of Friday, it hadn't taken any action against his license, she said. Dentists' licenses can be suspended or revoked if they're convicted of felonies or if they prescribe or dispense drugs for other than legal or legitimate therapeutic purposes, Reitz said.