Suffolk Nurse Charged with Stealing $500K in Narcotics

BREAKING: A 69-year-old nurse, Mary Forte, faces serious charges for stealing narcotics while working at the Suffolk County House of Correction. Authorities confirm that she is accused of diverting an astonishing 1,992 milliliters of methadone and 1,798 suboxone pills over several months. This urgent case has drawn attention to the critical need for drug control protocols within correctional facilities.

Forte was arraigned in the Roxbury Division of Boston Municipal Court on Wednesday, facing two counts of obtaining a drug by fraud, two counts of larceny of a drug, and one count of forgery of a document. Prosecutors allege that she forged 89 signatures to cover her tracks, further complicating an already troubling situation.

Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden stated, “Drug controls and protocols in jails and prisons are in place for good reasons, including the fact that many inmates are incarcerated for drug distribution and trafficking charges.” He emphasized that security measures ultimately provided the necessary evidence to bring these charges against Forte.

The investigation began when the Massachusetts Department of Health’s Drug Control Program received a tip in December 2023 about potential drug diversion by a hospital employee at the correctional facility. Prosecutors revealed that Forte, who has been employed at the facility since 2012, was allegedly circumventing established protocols designed for safe drug disposal.

According to court documents, when disposing of narcotics, two nurses are required to witness the process and sign off on paperwork in the presence of surveillance cameras. However, Forte reportedly obstructed the camera’s view, enabling her to misappropriate the drugs undetected.

Following her arraignment, Judge Dana Pierce released Forte on personal recognizance, requiring her to return to court on December 2 for a hearing to appoint counsel. The ramifications of this case extend beyond the courtroom, raising serious concerns about safety and security within the correctional system.

This ongoing investigation highlights the urgency for stricter oversight and transparency in managing controlled substances within correctional facilities. Authorities are expected to closely monitor the case as it develops, and it could lead to significant changes in how drug protocols are enforced in the future.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it unfolds.