VA nurse in CT pleads guilty to taking pain killers from dying veterans for personal use

A nurse has pleaded guilty to a federal charge stemming from allegations she used fentanyl and other drugs that were intended for sick and dying veterans who were under her care at the West Haven VA Medical Center.

Tara Severino, 58, of West Haven took a plea deal Tuesday in federal court in Hartford, pleading guilty to obtaining controlled substances by fraud or subterfuge, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.

Federal officials said she could face a maximum of four years in prison when she is sentenced on Sept. 12. She is free on $25,000 bond while she awaits sentencing.

According to authorities, Severino worked as a registered nurse at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center between January to July 2023 where she was assigned to the Intensive Care Unit for sick or dying patients.

While working at the West Haven VA, federal officials said she used fentanyl, hydromorphone and oxycodone that was intended for patients in her care.

At times, Severino would give some of the substance to the patient and use the rest for herself, officials said.

She also repeatedly gave fentanyl to a braindead patient after reporting that she saw him in pain and having a seizure, according to federal authorities.

“She introduced fentanyl to this patient approximately 19 times over a nine-day period so that she could divert some for herself,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

According to authorities, Severino also ingested doses of hydromorphone and fentanyl meant for dying veterans.

“This affected treatment decisions made by other medical staff who believed that the patients had been receiving, and were unresponsive to, their prescribed narcotics,” federal officials said.

In another instance, Severino volunteered to care for a patient not formally assigned to her and diverted pain medication from him before he died, according to officials.

“In order to cover up her crimes, Severino misrepresented in VA medical records and tracking systems that the narcotics been properly administered to the patient or, in the case of excess narcotics, had been properly disposed of,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Office of the Inspector General.

Anyone who believes they or someone they know was victimized by Severino while she worked at the VA has been asked to contact Special Agent Abraham Raymond at 202-262-2337 or abraham.raymond@va.gov.