Suspected Bellagio Bandit Prescribed 500 Max Strength Oxycontin Pills in Just 4 Months
Authorities claim that the alleged Bellagio chip bandit was prescribed a whopping 500 maximum strength Oxycontin pills in a period of just 4 months.
Anthony Carleo has been charged with a brazen robbery of the Bellagio Casino on December 4 whereby he entered the establishment during the early morning hours dressed in a motorcycle outfit and helmet to conceal his face. $1.5 million in chips was taken from a craps table in a matter of approximately 3 minutes.
Carleo was taken into custody Thursday morning. Doctor Alan Burstein's name is mentioned in the police report. Informants told authorities that Carleo sold some of the drugs in order to support his gambling habit. 650 pills were prescribed to Carleo from August to December, or 5 maximum strength Oxycontin per day.
Oxycontin is used to relieve moderate to severe pain and works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain.
The Board of Medical Examiners have not ruled out investigating Burstein.
"After the evidence has been gathered, witnesses interviewed if necessary, then it's reviewed by our in-house doctors for medical review," said Ed Cousineau with the board.
Carleo is the son of Las Vegas Municipal Judge George Assad.
- Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher