Woman to judge: ‘I can clean kitchen’

The defendant’s behavior was too bizarre to believe, prosecutors said.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Maria Mascio, 62, a former pharmacist accused of stealing $1 million worth of drugs from doctors’ offices, gave nonsensical answers when U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson questioned her at a plea hearing May 18, said federal courts reporter Earl Rinehart.

Told she would have to make restitution, Mascio, who admitted to health-care fraud, said: “I can clean the kitchen. OK. I can clean.”

There was this exchange between the judge and Mascio:

Watson: You don’t have any questions of me?

Mascio: Everything is fine. Just you want me to clean something, I can clean.

Watson: No. I don’t need anything cleaned right now, but thank you. Mascio: I do a good job. Prosecutors said Mascio was putting on an act, walking “hunched over while shuffling her feet with her head down and her hands clasped in front of her.”

After the hearing, a U.S. Health and Human Services special agent followed Mascio out of the federal courthouse on Marconi Boulevard. She appeared to be fine, the agent said. She wasn’t hunched over and was strolling in an upright position swinging her arms.

The prosecution and defense had agreed to no more than one year in prison, with credit for time served. Sentencing was set for Nov. 14.

Watson said 12 months wouldn’t cut it. He told the parties to come back Dec. 15 with a more appropriate (aka tougher) sentence. FROM WIRE REPORTS