Illinois nurse sentenced for taking drugs meant for patients

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A 32-year-old nurse has been sentenced for illegally using drugs she falsely claimed she administered to patients at a central Illinois health facility.

A Tuesday statement from Illinois State Police says a judge sentenced Tracy Long to two years' probation and 30 hours of community service. The Pekin woman was also ordered to participate in a substance-abuse program.

Long was working as a nurse at Maple Lawn Healthcare in Eureka when she reported that she administered Alprazolam and Hydrocodone to residents on Sept. 4 of last year.

But an investigation by a state police Medicaid fraud bureau turned up surveillance footage contradicting that. Long later admitted she falsified the records and had stolen the drugs.

Long pleaded guilty on Nov. 30 to unlawful acquisition of a controlled substance.