Drugs-for-sex witness at large
By: Jason Cato
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review
A former government star witness in a drugs-for-sex case is on the lam and wanted by federal authorities.
U.S. District Judge Donetta Ambrose today issued an arrest warrant for Jennifer Lee Riggle, 30, after the woman failed to show up for a probation violation hearing Friday.
Riggle, of New Kensington, provided testimony in the 2004 trial of Dr. Bernard Rottschaefer, a former Oakmont doctor convicted in March 2004 on 153 counts of illegally prescribing painkillers. He is serving five years in prison.
Prosecutors had accused Rottschaefer of trading prescription painkillers to crack addicts in exchange for sexual favors, which he denied.
In exchange for her testimony, Riggle received five years' probation instead of jail time for the distribution of oxycodone. Riggle has not been seen since skipping three outpatient drug rehab sessions at a Greensburg clinic in November, probation officials said.
Jason Cato can be reached at jcato@tribweb.com or 412-320-7840.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburgh
trib/news/cityregion/s_543226.html
