PLAINS TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) – The Luzerne County District Attorney Tuesday dropped charges against nurse at the Veterans Administration hospital in Plains Township who is accused of working in an operating room while intoxicated.

The charges against Richard Pierie stem from an incident on February 4, 2016. At the time Pierie was off duty but on call. Allegedly he had been drinking prior to being called to work for an emergency procedure. Hospital staff later notified authorities they believed Pierie was too intoxicated to have been on duty.

County authorities say they dropped criminal charges against Pierie after being notified that federal charges in the case were to be filed by the United State’s Attorney’s office. ‘

Check back later for additional details on this developing story.