COURT HOUSE – Dr. John Costino was acquitted by a jury Nov. 8 of nine counts of drug distribution and seven counts of insurance fraud.
Following two hours of deliberation, the jury found Costino not guilty on all charges.
The charges stemmed from an undercover police investigation where female officers posed as exotic dancers. Two undercover agents posed as dancers from Atlantic City and visited his office requesting and receiving prescriptions for Percocet.
The county Prosecutor’s Office had charged Costino with writing prescriptions for Percocet without properly examining the “dancers” and filing false insurance claims of $400.
Costino, 68, who practiced in North Wildwood, had his medical license revoked in 2009 but is expected to regain it by year’s end.
Testimony was heard on Costino’s behalf from a number of character witnesses including former Sen. James Cafiero and former county Sheriff and retired Superior Court Judge John Callinan.
Costino’s attorney John Tumelty told reporters the charges were a result of overzealous law enforcement and an incompetent investigation.
Agencies involved in the investigation included the county Prosecutor’s Office, Little Egg Harbor Police Department, the U.S. Postal Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
