Albany County Deputy Executive Christine Quinn allegedly deceived a Colonie nurse practitioner in order to illegally obtain hundreds of Ritalin pills, according to police.
Quinn, 35, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, was arrested on charges of attempted criminal possession of a con-trolled substance in the fourth degree, a felony, and fraud, a misdemeanor. Quinn was arraigned in Colonie Town Court the same day and pleaded not guilty to the charges. She was released under the supervision of the county Probation Department and she waived any action by a grand jury.
The state Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement led an investigation that allegedly revealed Quinn illegally obtained methylphenidate, commonly known as Ritalin, in an amount that exceeded her prescribed dosage.
On March 5, Quinn allegedly went to a local nurse practitioner’s office seeking a new prescription and claimed the pharmacy where she filled her previous prescription was only able to partially fill it with a month’s supply, according to a complaint filed in Colonie Town Court by a state narcotic enforcement investigator.
But the pharmacy dispensed an 84-day supply only 28 days prior, according to the complaint, which included 270 tablets of 20 mg Ritalin. The felony charge stems from Quinn allegedly possessing more than 1 gram of a stimulant.
All documents filed in the town court, other than the complaints, pertaining to the case are sealed, because certain documents might contain confidential or privileged information, according to the court’s seal order. These documents may include health information subject to privacy and security provisions, the order said.
Albany County Executive Dan McCoy’s July 2012 appointment of Quinn was historic, because she became the first woman to hold the position. In 2002, Quinn interned as a law clerk at the Department of Law while attending law school. After graduating and passing the state Bar Exam, she rejoined the county as an assistant county attorney for four years and then became the first woman director of employee relations. She served as acting commissioner of the Department of Human Resources before her appointment to deputy executive.
McCoy said he was “deeply saddened and surprised” to hear of the charges against Quinn, according to Mary Rozak, a spokeswoman for the county executive.
“At this point and time, (McCoy’s) thoughts and prayers … are with her and her family as they go through obviously a very tough time,” Rozak said. “McCoy has asked that her family’s privacy be respected during this tough time.”
Quinn, who earns almost $107,000 annually, has taken a leave of absence effective Thursday, Sept. 5, according to Rozak.
“Quinn is innocent until proven guilty,” Rozak said. “Right now she has done nothing wrong at work.”
McCoy has sworn in Bradley Fischer, who was director of operations for the county executive, to Quinn’s position. Rozak said there is “no such thing” as an acting deputy county executive.
“When and if Quinn is able to return … we will be able to discuss what her role with Albany County will be,” Rozak said.
Rozak said McCoy hadn’t noticed any signs of Quinn using drugs.
“If someone had seen any signs or been any indication,” Rozak said, “the very first thing that would have been done would be to reach out and try to help Ms. Quinn in any shape or form, but there had been no indication.”
Rozak declined to comment on what Quinn’s future at the county would be if convicted on the charges brought against her.
Quinn’s lawyer could not be reached for comment.
The recent enactment of state I-STOP Law’s “duty to consult” aided the investigation. It allows law enforcement to have access to databases of pharmacies and the controlled substances they dispense. The law aims to rein in prescription drug abuse.