Law360 Features Commentary from Porzio Principal Bill Hughes, Counsel for the Defendant, in "Ex-Compliance Chief Who Aided Feds In Oxy Case Avoids Jail"

On March 29, 2023, U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels allowed William Pietruszewski, who worked as compliance chief for Rochester Drug Co-Operative Inc., to avoid prison after his trial testimony led to the conviction of the company's former CEO on opioid distribution charges. Pietruszewski is represented by William Hughes, principal of Porzio, Bromberg & Newman PC. 

In addition to representing Pietruszewski, Bill Hughes successfully represented Miami-Luken compliance manager James Barclay, whose case was dismissed with prejudice in the Southern District of Ohio in 2022. To date, these are the only two such cases brought against compliance officers of pharmaceutical distributors.  

"Pietruszewski was facing a mandatory minimum of 10 years in jail and an advisory sentence under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines of 135 to 168 months (11 to 14 years)," Hughes explained. 

He provided further commentary and context about the case for a Law360 article "Ex-Compliance Chief Who Aided Feds In Oxy Case Avoids Jail," stating, "All in the pharmaceutical industry should take notice that — at this point — prosecutions can occur under the Controlled Substances Act for failing to maintain what the DEA considers to be an effective compliance program."

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