At the guilty plea hearing, Panichella, a licenced counselor and owner/operator of Progressive Counseling Services in Audobon, Camden County, admitted that from January - August, 2004, he submitted at least one prescription for Hydrocodone to a Collingswood pharmacy under the name of Dr. Peter Calafiura. An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined that Panichella fraudulently submitted more than 75 prescriptions using Calafiura’s name. The investigation further revealed that Calafiura and Panichella worked together at Genesis Counseling in Collingswood, but that Panichella was terminated in 2003. It is charged that Calafiura did not give Panichella permission to submit prescriptions for Hydrocodone on his behalf. Panichella was licensed to counsel patients, but not to prescribe medications.

State Investigator Ralph Anilo and Deputy Attorney General Erik Daab were assigned to the investigation into this case. DAG Daab represented the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor at the guilty plea hearing. The case was referred to the Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor by the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office. The Collingswood Police Department assisted in the investigation.