Doctor acquitted in prescription drug case

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — A state jury in Bridgeport has found a Trumbull doctor not guilty of illegally prescribing painkillers to a man he knew was addicted to drugs.

The jury acquitted Dr. Donald Austrian on Thursday of 10 counts of violating the state's dependency producing drug law.

The Connecticut Post reports that the 58-year-old doctor looked up at the courtroom ceiling and mouthed "thank you" after the verdict was announced.

Police charged Austrian last year following a complaint about Austrian made to the state Department of Consumer Protection.

The jury heard a recording of a police officer posing as a patient with pain and asking Austrian for Percocet. Austrian is heard on the recording reluctantly prescribing another painkiller after expressing frustration about not finding the source of the pain during an examination.

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Information from: Connecticut Post