NORFOLK, Va. \u2014 A Norfolk nurse has admitted to stealing powerful pain medication intended for patients, according to federal prosecutors.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors say 56-year-old Michelle Kollmar used patients\u2019 personal information to access hospital medication machines and obtain painkillers.<\/p>\n
Authorities say surveillance cameras captured Kollmar taking medication, including at times when she was not scheduled to work.<\/p>\n
Kollmar pleaded guilty to obtaining controlled substances by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery or deception, as well as theft of medical products.<\/p>\n
Her attorney, Andrew Protogyrou, said Kollmar understands what she did was wrong but said her actions followed an injury and subsequent struggle with addiction.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis has just devastated her because you had somebody who was a unit coordinator nurse. She was extremely successful,\u201d Protogyrou said.<\/p>\n
He said Kollmar was injured on the job and began struggling with severe pain.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pain was immense. She has gotten treatment for that, and she acknowledges that and she knows that what she did was wrong,\u201d Protogyrou said. \u201cBut she was at a point that she just could not function. She could not walk without pain. She could not stand without pain.\u201d<\/p>\n
Protogyrou said Kollmar has since given up her nursing license and career.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe gave up her nursing license, she gave up her career because of this,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd she now has to deal with being a felon in the federal government and some sentencing coming up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her attorney is also arguing that no patients were actually harmed by Kollmar\u2019s actions, an issue expected to come up at sentencing.<\/p>\n
Kollmar has not yet been sentenced, and no sentencing date has been scheduled.<\/p>\n
Watch for Margaret Kavanagh’s reporting on News 3 and WTKR.com. Have a story idea or tip for Margaret? Email her.<\/a><\/p>\n
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