Former Trauma Star Chief Flight Nurse Sentenced To Jail, Drug Court Probation In Narcotics Diversion Case
Former county employee entered open plea to 14 theft counts and official misconduct charges.
Former Monroe County Trauma Star Chief Flight Nurse Lynda J. Rusinowski was sentenced to jail and five years of drug court probation after entering an open plea in a narcotics diversion case stemming from a grand jury indictment.
Circuit Judge Mark Jones imposed the sentence following Rusinowski’s no contest plea to 14 counts of grand theft of a controlled substance and three counts of official misconduct. An open plea allows a defendant to plead directly to the court without a negotiated agreement with prosecutors, leaving sentencing to the judge’s discretion.
The court sentenced Rusinowski to 60 days in the Monroe County Jail, followed by five years of drug court probation. She must complete the remaining two years of the Intervention Project for Nurses treatment program, perform 50 hours of community service, attend three Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings per week and submit to two urinalyses per week.
Adjudication will be withheld if she successfully completes all conditions of probation.
The Monroe County Commission has yet to publicly discuss the Trauma Star case.
Jones’ sentence represents a downward departure from the lowest permissible sentence under Florida’s Criminal Punishment Code.
Rusinowski was also ordered to pay $553 in court costs, $1,152.19 in restitution to the Monroe County Clerk of Court for the cost of the controlled substances, $2,850 to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for investigative costs and $1,500 in prosecution costs.
The charges stemmed from Rusinowski’s unlawful obtaining and use of medical-grade narcotics, including fentanyl, Dilaudid, Versed, ketamine and morphine, from Monroe County Fire Rescue’s Trauma Star air ambulance program.
Authorities said she falsified official records to conceal the thefts.
The case was presented to a Monroe County grand jury after an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.
The case caused a huge rift between the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and the Monroe County Fire Department.
Sheriff Rick Ramsay and his agency fund Trauma Star, while the MCFD staff it.
The Monroe County Clerk of Court also conducted an audit of Trauma Star controlled substance records. Investigators identified discrepancies in controlled substance logs and inventories, including missing vials and falsified log entries used to mask the diversion of narcotics over time.
During the investigation, Rusinowski acknowledged her conduct and sought substance abuse treatment.
Major Crimes Prosecutor Colleen Dunne said the case required a criminal response despite the defendant’s efforts to seek help.
“This case involved the misuse of controlled substances by someone in a position of medical trust,” Dunne said in a statement. “While the defendant acknowledged her conduct and sought treatment, the diversion of these medications required a criminal response.”
Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield said the case underscores the responsibility placed on public safety professionals.
“When that trust is violated, there must be accountability,” Mansfield said. “This case also reflects the strength of the partnerships between our office, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County Fire Rescue and the Clerk’s Office.”
The State Attorney’s Office said it remains committed to working with law enforcement and county agencies to ensure accountability and protect public trust.