Former St. Charles pharmacist denies drug charges

A former St. Charles pharmacist has pleaded not guilty to charges he illegally dealt painkillers through his family drugstore.

Mark L. Burger, 42, of the 100 block of Melbourne Street, Elburn, was arraigned Wednesday in front of Kane County Judge Allen M. Anderson.

A former chief pharmacist at Burger Drugs in St. Charles, Burger was indicted in December after police said they seized a large amount of opiates, including painkillers and methadone, from his business and home. His arrest came just five months after Burger Drugs abruptly closed, and followed a surveillance investigation by narcotics investigators.

If convicted of the most serious charge, Burger faces up to 30 years in prison. His pharmacy license was suspended indefinitely in June.

Defense attorney Gary Johnson could not be reached for comment Thursday. Burger remains free on a $10,000 bond and is due back in court July 9.

Burger's father has said the closing of the family business, which was open nearly 70 years, had nothing to do with the investigation.