SRQ DAILY Dec 20, 2021
Monday Business Edition
"The victim was shown a copy of the phoned-in prescriptions during his interview with Sarasota Police and said he never authorized the prescription."
One of the region’s most prominent medical leaders was arrested last week on multiple charges of obtaining controlled substances using fraudulent prescriptions. Sarasota Police arrested Dr. Michael Dattoli, founder of the Dattoli Cancer Center, and said he on three occasions had prescriptions for Valium filled in his wife’s name in 2019 and 2020.
In September this year, an employee of the Dattoli center alerted law enforcement that when looking through the Florida prescription drug controlled substance database and saw several fraudulent prescriptions written the prior year, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The database was created by the Florida Legislature in 2009 as a way to curb pill mills, doctor shopping and other activities contributing to an ongoing opioid crisis. While the law was passed explicitly to deal with opioids, the database tracks all Schedule II to Schedule 5 narcotics that have been classified for their potential for abuse.
The employee, who no longer works at the center, said three prescriptions were written to Dattoli’s wife.
"The victim was shown a copy of the phoned-in prescriptions during his interview with Sarasota Police and said he never authorized the prescription and said Dattoli’s wife was never a patient of his," said an email from Sarasota Police spokeswoman Genevieve Judge.
Law enforcement obtained copies multiple prescriptions from several Sarasota area pharmacies phoned in throughout 2020 from the Dattoli center. The prescriptions were all filled the same day they were written and picked up by Dattoli.
Investigators in October interviewed Dattoli’s wife, who confirmed she had never been a patient at the center and had never received the Valium prescriptions or the drugs in question.
Further investigation showed Dattoli had purchased and picked up the prescriptions using an account with his own Social Security Number and the cancer center’s address. Insurance records with Florida Blue confirmed he had claimed the prescriptions were for his wife.
He now faces three charges of obtaining the controlled substance Diazepam through fraud, three counts of criminal use of a personal ID, and three counts of insurance fraud. The 64-year-old Anna Maria physician was arrested by the Sarasota Police Department, jail records show. He has since been released on bond.
An email to the Dattoli center seeking comment was not returned. 
Celebrated as the finest retro holiday party in the southeast for 5 years running, Johnny Wild brings his acclaimed Christmas Spectacular to life for two wild nights of winter wonderland fun. With classic Christmas tunes, your favorite Sock Hop melodies, guest appearances by Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and even the big man in red, you won’t want to miss Johnny Wild & the Delights’ Christmas Spectacular. Christmas Spectacular will show on December 21 and 22.
Sameer Patel leads a program of intimate favorites on Wednesday, December 22 at 7:30pm at the Sarasota Opera House. The pastel colors of Debussy's Petite Suite are followed by Respighi's entrancing Adoration of the Magi. Young violinist Geneva Lewis will perform Massenet's moving "Méditation" from Thaïs and the icy "Winter" concerto from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. Mozart's "Paris" Symphony, among the master's grandest works, is guaranteed to leave the listener rejuvenated.
AL Ernst was voted Carnival Cruise Lines "Entertainer of the Year." You've seen Al on TV, heard him on numerous national radio outlets, now a regular on the Blue Collar Network on Sirius/XM radio. AL Ernst will perform on December 23 at 7pm in The Green Room.
A brand-new rendition of everything that makes the holidays in Sarasota special. With all-new songs and sketches, audiences should get ready to celebrate the holidays – Florida style – palm trees with decorations, swimming in the sea, sand snowmen, and more. An annual Sarasota holiday tradition, Deck the Halls invites families to deck the palms and join in on the fun at this interactive family show. Deck the Halls, by Sarah Durham and Caroline Saldivar, will play Saturdays and select Sundays from November 27, 2021 - December 24, 2021 in FST's Bowne's Lab. Subscriptions and single tickets are on sale and can be purchased by clicking the button above or by calling the Box Office at 941-366-9000.
Florida Studio Theatre’s resident improv troupe, FST Improv, will return to a weekly live performance schedule with Triple Play, a full-length show created specifically to entertain from a distance. Drawing inspiration from audience suggestions, a rotating cast of three improvisers will perform games, scenes, and songs—all made up on the spot. Starting Saturday, March 20, Triple Play will take place Saturday evenings at 8:30pm for socially-distanced audiences in FST’s Keating Theatre. Tickets are $15 per person and are now on sale. To purchase tickets, call FST’s Box Office at 941.366.9000 or visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org. FST's musical improvisers, Jim Prosser and Helena Rankin, will provide comical accompaniment as performers play some of Sarasota's favorite improv games - all while maintaining social distancing. In addition to live audiences, the cast of Triple Play will draw inspiration from prompts submitted virtually through text or via Twitter. With this added virtual element, FST Improv will engage with audiences in Sarasota and beyond. Triple Play performances will be socially-distanced and in compliance of all CDC guidelines, including socially-distanced seating, paperless ticketing, and limited theatre capacities. Facial coverings must be worn at all times - including throughout performances - when on campus at FST, aside from dining in FST's Green Room Cafe & Bar. Socially-distanced pre-show dining is available indoors and outdoors in FST's Green Room Cafe & Bar one hour before each Triple Play performance.
Sailor Circus presents Let It Snow from Sunday, December 26 to Thursday, December 30, 2021 at Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St. Sunday at 1pm and 6pm and Monday through Thursday at 7pm. America’s longest running youth circus presents amazingly talented student performers in this highly anticipated annual holiday show. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors: Shari and Stephen Ashman and Phyllis Siskel and Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors.
Rus Anderson has spent years perfecting the piano playing, vocals, and mannerisms of Elton John and has traveled the world over with thousands of performances to his credit. This insanely energetic performer is endorsed by the official Elton John Fan Club. Rocket Man will show from December 29 to 31 at the Venice Theatre.
Les McCurdy and Ken Sons are.... The Bermuda Mavericks. With the perfect combination of stand up comedy and improvisation, they are a favorite of audiences all over the country. The Bermuda Mavericks will perform on December 30 at 7pm in The Green Room.
During December join us for a special holiday trolley or van tour complete with cocoa, carols & Christmas stories about Sarasota. Step onboard our Holly Jolly Trolley or Van with guide Jenny Jingle for our special daytime holiday tour with cocoa, carols & Christmas stories of Sarasota. Visit city spots with Christmas story connections, hear about our Sarasota traditions during the holidays & sing along to your favorite Christmas songs. Includes FREE cocoa at the Trolley Cottage before the tour. We award prizes for best Ugly Sweater on our Holly Jolly Trolley Tours during December so dress in your holiday best. Tour ticket includes FREE Parking.
Sarasota’s most sophisticated black tie New Year’s Eve experience includes private access to Lights in Bloom®: An Open-Air Holiday Light Show, an exquisite four-course dinner, view of the fireworks over the Bay, and entertainment by the Sarasota Ballet. New Year’s Eve at Selby Gardens will take place on December 31 2021 from 7pm to 1am at the Downtown Sarasota Campus.
Ring in 2022 at the Downtown Sarasota Block Party and Pineapple Drop at Five Points Park, 100 Central Avenue, starting at 1pm on Friday, December 31, through 1:30am on Saturday, January 1. Admission to this family-friendly event is FREE. The festivities will include amusement rides and games; live music; food, drinks and full bar concessions; and a Pineapple Drop at midnight followed by a fantastic fireworks display on Sarasota Bay. Enjoy a great view…without leaving the party. Enjoy performances by Kettle of Fish, the Dr. Dave Band and Twinkle.
Ring in the New Year at GROVE. Join us in the Ballroom for food, drinks, friends, and fun as we say goodbye to 2021 and hello to 2022 on December 31, 2021 from 9pm to 1am, check in from 8:30pm to 9pm. This unforgettable night will feature an all-you-can-eat hors d'oeuvres buffet, premium open bar, a spectacular light show, lively DJ entertainment and dance floor, plus a midnight champagne toast and live ball drop.
SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email |
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe
