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Show . vtmm sw 1 fL Palm Sunday Photo by Barbara Christiansen Youngsters at the Community Presbyterian Church in American Fork participate in the annual Palm Sunday processional marking Holy Week. On Easter Sunday there will be a 7 a.m. Sunrise Service followed by a continental breakfast. New Utah - Thursday, April 17, 2003 - Page 7 Obstetrician charged with prescription drug fraud By Jesse Coleman Utah Valley staff One of Utah Valley's busiest obstetricians obstetri-cians was formally charged in 4th District Court on Friday on charges of prescription fraud and failure to keep appropriate records. Robert C. Richards, a Lehi resident, appeared before Judge Fred Howard on Friday. Fri-day. He was charged with 12 counts of obtaining a prescription under false pretenses pre-tenses and six counts of a licensed person failing to keep records or fraudulently keeping records. Each count is a third-degree third-degree felony and is punishable with up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Howard ordered Richards to appear again in court on May 8 for a waiver hearing. Richards, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist obstetrician-gynecologist at American Fork, Mountain View and Timpanogos hospitals, voluntarily voluntari-ly relinquished his controlled substance license recently, said Lana Nelson, spokeswoman spokes-woman for the hospital. Richards continues to practice medicine at American Fork Hospital Hos-pital and is working closely with the management. man-agement. "The medical staff is aware of his situation," situa-tion," Nelson added. The Utah County Attorney's Office filed charges against Richards on March 18. He was booked in the Utah County Jail on March 29 and has since been out on his own recognizance. According to court records, the alleged offenses stretch from Feb. 25, 1998, to March 19, 1999. The Drug Enforcement Agency began investigating Richards two months ago when they noticed a number of suspicious prescriptions filed for hydrocodone, the main ingredient for painkillers like Lortab and Vicodin. Barry Jamison, assistant special spe-cial agent in charge, said they approached Richards and requested he turn over his prescription license. "Any time we see what we call a large number of suspicious prescriptions, it certainly cer-tainly interests us," he said. "When it is an individual in a position of trust in the community, com-munity, it makes it all the more serious." County Attorney Kay Bryson declined to comment on the case. The Utah Department Depart-ment of Commerce officials, whose Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing investigated Richards, said they were unable to release any information concerning concern-ing Richard's case until it was finalized. "All I know is they were drug-related charges," said Scott Thompson, division spokesman. Hal Reiser, Richards' attorney, said colleagues col-leagues and patients have supported Richards and there has been no interruption interrup-tion in him seeing patients. Reiser added that Richards has had long-term health problems, including a back injury. Reiser declined to comment on whether the health problems related to the charges. "Richards is one of the busiest obstetricians obstetri-cians in Utah County," Reiser said. "He remains attentive and dedicated to his patients." Richards graduated from the University of Utah in 1977 with a doctorate in medicine. medi-cine. He has been licensed as a physician and surgeon in Utah since 1978. Individuals, groups sought for National Volunteer Week Nqw Grove ThGdtfG announces auditions All volunteers, including groups, individuals and companies, com-panies, are invited to make a difference in our community during National Volunteer Week on April 27 to May 3. Since 1974, citizens have come together to serve their nation. National Volunteer Week began when President Presi-dent Richard Nixon established estab-lished one week each year as a celebration of volunteering. volun-teering. This annual event is a time to recognize volunteers volun-teers for their outstanding services, along with providing provid-ing several national and local events that will take place during National Volunteer Vol-unteer Week. This year, National Volunteer Vol-unteer Week celebrates the completion of the USA Initiative Ini-tiative (Unity in the Spirit of America) made on Jan. 10, 2002. President George W. Bush had called on "citizens "citi-zens to conduct volunteer projects in honor those who lives were lost as a result of the terrorist attack." As of January, 2003, more than 2,000 projects were completed, which enlisted the service of more than 1.2 million volunteers. As part of National Volunteer Vol-unteer Week, communities, schools and other organizations organiza-tions are encouraged to plan and carry out service activities. Some suggestions for projects include helping neighbors paint and repair their homes, cleaning up trash in a park, holding a scavenger hunt to collect items for a variety of agencies, agen-cies, or hosting an event for residents of a care center. National Volunteer Week is geared toward making a difference in your community during April 27 to May 3. However, individuals need not wait for that week to perform per-form service. Volunteer opportunities oppor-tunities are available year-round. year-round. Some ideas include serving people with disabilities, disabili-ties, lending support to patients with chronic illness, being adopted by a grandparent, grandpar-ent, dedicating yourself as a mentor, advocate or tutor and providing cleaning and maintenance main-tenance services. Other volunteer opportunities opportu-nities in Utah County include: Spend a day in service. Individuals, groups or companies com-panies have the opportunity to organize a book drive to benefit several agencies in Utah County by gathering books on self-improvement, parenting skills, cookbooks and others for literacy programs, pro-grams, go on a scavenger hunt to collect common household items, including canned food, dry. goods, toi let paper, baby formula, diapers, dia-pers, personal hygiene items, personal items, and new adult clothing (winter and summer). Several other volunteer opportunities are available including sharing time and talents with residents at care centers, participating in city beautification projects, working in the food bank, and providing cleaning and maintenance work for a variety vari-ety of agencies. For a list of items to collect and donate or for more information on projects, proj-ects, call United Way. The United Way of Utah County Volunteer Center is the only comprehensive source of information for volunteer opportunities in our community, connecting potential volunteers to opportunities where they will make the most difference differ-ence according to their skills and talents, as well as have a good experience while serving. For further information regarding these and other volunteer opportunities available in Utah County, contact the United Way Volunteer Center Cen-ter weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 374-8108. Individuals may also contact con-tact United Way via e-mail volunteerunitedwayuc.org or search the Volunteer Opportunities database on the United Way of Utah County Web site at www.unitedwayuc.org. Auditions will be held Tuesday, April 22, and Thursday, April 24, for the Strawberry Days production produc-tion of "Please Marry My Nellie" at 7 p.m. in the new Grove Theatre, 20 S. Main, Pleasant Grove. The production dates are scheduled for June 16-21. Those auditioning should bring their own music and sing about 16 bars of a number num-ber of their choosing. An accompanist will be provided. provid-ed. Auditioners will also read from the script. This melodrama will be directed by Joel A. Osborne and will be presented in the Delsarte style of acting. The play revolves around Nellie Lovelace who is destined des-tined to perform at the saloon of a villain, Jebediah T. Jaundice, unless the mortgage can be paid by midnight. Never fear, the hero, Jack Dogood, will save the day. There are roles for three men, ages 17 to 50, and three women, ages 17 to 50. Those who desire further information may call 763-0495. A ttmrnem Fork City IteeDts M M he 9th jfbDtirf g 1 W Id It ill i . Saturday April 19th V 9:00a.m.HARE!!i & r PLotry 00 So. 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