Peter Stasica, 52, the former manager of prosthetics at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview, Minneapolis, has pleaded guilty to stealing $122,928 in prostheses and related supplies from the hospital where he worked and selling them on eBay. Specifically, he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
In his plea agreement, Stasica admitted that from February to August 2011 he began removing prostheses and prosthetic-related supplies from Fairview’s O&P department without authorization to sell on eBay. In his capacity as prosthetics manager, Stasica’s duties included purchasing supplies and equipment, working with vendors, and advising patients about whether a new prosthetic limb was necessary. Court documents allege that he also solicited prosthetic devices no longer being used from patients without disclosing his plans to sell them online. During the course of the scheme, he made 60 sales to more than 40 buyers, for which he earned $17,296.
Stasica faces a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. His sentence will be determined at a future hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.