Case Studies

On Location:

A small freestanding surgery center in a university town with tree-lined streets and above average children.

Cast:

DEBBIE: The bored office manager of a surgery center who has been at her job for 15 years.

DEBBIE, JR: The office manager’s daughter who has a penchant for oxycodone, an addictive prescription pain medication with street value.

ROSY: A nosy receptionist with spending habits beyond her means.

DOC: A physician/owner with little interest in financial processes.

Opening Scene:

Thanksgiving dinner 2008 with mother, daughter, daughter’s fiancé and a few friends. Wine and laughter flowing freely.

Act 1:

At surgery center, DEBBIE teaches daughter how to order oxycodone. ROSY the receptionist realizes something is amiss, pouts to DEBBIE and receives special bonuses (shhhhh!) DEBBIE, JR takes drugs home to fiancé who uses some and sells excess. Meanwhile, DEBBIE pays for supply of drugs with company funds and buries illicit activity in surgery center accounting records.

Act 2:

Daughter sets wedding date. Mom wants to give daughter wedding of a lifetime. Mom “borrows” the money she needs from the surgery center by paying for wedding accoutrements with company credit cards and other sources of company funds. Mother and daughter plan and execute dream wedding. Mom likes new spending habit and continues to use credit cards and special bonuses to reward herself for diligence in showing up every day.

Act 3:

DOC happens to notice excess drug ordering and starts watching employees and processes more closely. Finds evidence, calls police and launches formal investigation.DEBBIE is arrested and pleads guilty to grand theft of over $200,000. DEBBIE, JR pleads guilty to theft of over 10,000 tablets of oxycodone. ROSY receptionist arrested and charged with grand theft of $5,000. All three plead guilty and are sentenced to serve time and make restitution.

Closing Scene:

Thanksgiving dinner 2010. Empty table, empty chairs, dust covered furniture.

Trust, but verify.