Hoa Nguyen

htnguyen@lohud.com

A former chief of internal medicine at Nyack Hospital has pleaded not guilty to federal felony charges he sold oxycodone and has been released on bail after posting a half a million dollar bond.

Dr. Ronald DiScenza, who in recent years has faced multiple other criminal charges, had his medical license revoked in New Jersey and placed on probation in New York, was arrested Tuesday after being indicted by a federal grand jury on the drug charges. The Pomona resident, who had a practice in Yonkers, is accused of prescribing oxycodone to an undercover police officer in December for no legitimate medical purpose.

DiScenza was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and distribution and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, both felonies. As part of the conditions of his bail, DiScenza agreed to surrender all of his firearms to police in Stony Point, surrender his passport, refrain from prescribing any controlled substances and undergo drug testing and treatment.

Earlier this year, DiScenza was placed on professional probation for five years by the New York state Board of Professional Misconduct and Professional Discipline. He had his medical license revoked in New Jersey following an investigation into a report of negligence, malpractice, misrepresentation, deception, fraud and failure to maintain good moral character, records show.

In 2010, DiScenza was charged with four felony counts of failure to file personal tax returns from 2002 through 2007.

From 2003 through 2012, DiScenza served on the Rockland Board of Health having been appointed to the volunteer position.