Former Southampton Town Councilman Brad Bender, who pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge last November, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison and three years probation.
He will also forfeit $5,000 from illegal prescription sales.
Between 2012 and 2015, Bender received phony prescriptions for oxycodone from Riverhead physician assistant Michael Troyan, according to court documents. Bender filled those prescriptions and then sold the pills for cash and steroids to another co-conspirator, prosecutors said. The pills were then re-sold on the street.
The scheme netted an estimated cash haul of more than $1.8 million and involved about 20 co-conspirators, prosecutors say.
Troyan was arrested last November as the ringleader of the scheme, following a four year investigation. He pleaded guilty June 17 and is scheduled to be sentenced in September.
Bender pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell narcotics on November 24. He faced a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a $1 million fine.
Bender resigned his seat as Southampton Town Councilman on the day of his plea.
“Today’s sentence is a reminder to all those entrusted to represent the interests of the public that they will be held accountable if they engage in criminal activity and violate that trust,” said United States Attorney Robert Capers after announcing the sentence.
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