|
 David Kwiatkowski, 34, worked as a cardiac technologist in 18
hospitals in seven states before being hired at New Hampshire's
Exeter Hospital in 2011, moving from job to job despite being fired
at least four times over allegations of drug use and theft. Since
his arrest last year, 46 people in four states have been diagnosed
with the same strain of hepatitis C he carries.
Kwiatkowski, who has admitted stealing painkillers and replacing
them with saline-filled syringes tainted with his blood, pleaded
guilty in August to 16 federal drug charges.
In court documents filed last week, prosecutors said Kwiatkowski
should spend 40 years in prison because he created a "national
public health crisis," put a significant number of people at risk
and caused substantial physical and emotional harm to a large number
of victims. Defense lawyers argued that a 30-year sentence would
better balance the seriousness of the crimes against Kwiatkowski's
mental and emotional problems and his addiction to drugs and
alcohol, which they said clouded his judgment.
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In all, 32 patients were infected in New Hampshire, seven in
Maryland, six in Kansas and one in Pennsylvania. Kwiatkowski, 34,
also worked in Michigan, New York, Arizona and Georgia.
Two of the 16 charges stem from the case of a Kansas patient who has
since died. Authorities say hepatitis C, a blood-borne virus that
can cause liver disease and chronic health problems, played a
contributing role.
[Associated
Press; HOLLY RAMER]
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