Bail Denied for Doctor in Painkillers Case

A Baldwin doctor who federal prosecutors say confessed to improperly prescribing drugs to two Long Beach residents, who overdosed, was denied bail at a federal court in Central Islip on Tuesday. 

Judge Leonard Wexler said he was persuaded by federal prosecutors who argued that Dr. William Conway prescribed painkillers despite surrendering his Drug Enforcement Administration registration in February and couldn’t be trusted to stop doling out pills. Federal prosecutor Sean Flynn said Conway, who pled not guilty, already confessed to improperly prescribing oxycodone to patients, including Christopher Basmas, 29, and Giovanni Manzella, 34, of Long Beach, who both died after overdosing, according to Newsday. Wexler said:

"There is a risk to the community and bail is denied. He turned in his DEA registration and continued to give prescriptions, which particularly moves this court."

At the court, 18 of Conway’s former patients collected a $1.1 million bail package, and Conway's attorney, Richard Langone of Garden City, denied that his client — who was arrested along with 98 others for drug trafficking in June — committed any crime.