Former EHT Pharmacist Arrested For Tampering and Drug Theft

An Egg Harbor Township man, at one time a registered pharmacist, has been arrested on charges of drug tampering and theft and possession of controlled substances taken from Shore Memorial Hospital.

According to Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain, says a one year investigation led to the arrest of Frederick P. McLeish, 53, of EHT. McLeish was taken into custody on a warrant after being indicted by the Atlantic County Grand Jury.

The indictment stated that McLeish, “a healthcare professional who was authorized to prescribe, dispense or administer medication, did knowingly tamper with medicine that was for the subsequent use by patients at Shore Memorial Hospital,” and that McLeish unlawfully took possession of morphine that was the property of the hospital for the treatment of patients.
The State alleges that, between July and September of 2014, McLeish removed morphine from vials intended to be used in the preparation of intravenous solutions for patients, and replaced the missing volume with saline solution.
An internal inquiry initiated by Shore Memorial Hospital led to an investigation by the New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety’s Division of Consumer Affairs, and the criminal investigation conducted by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.

McLeish has been charged with:

Drug Tampering—a crime of the 2nd degree,
Theft By Unlawful Taking—a 3rd degree crime, and
Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance—a 3rd degree crime.

McLeish had been suspended from his job in September 2014, losing his job in December of 2014. He also surrendered his state pharmacy license.