Cape News

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has strongly condemned the pending release of Robert Courtney, a Kansas City pharmacist sentenced to thirty years in federal prison for diluting tens of thousands of prescription medications for personal gain. Courtney is set to be transferred to a halfway house before completing his sentence, prompting Senator Hawley to voice his opposition to the decision.

In a letter addressed to Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons Colette Peters, Senator Hawley expressed his concerns, stating, "Courtney’s greed led him to dilute 98,000 prescriptions, placing countless vulnerable Missourians at risk and sparking hundreds of wrongful death lawsuits. The protection of the public must always be the Bureau’s primary duty. Releasing Courtney early, even if only to a halfway house, is an abdication of that duty."

Senator Hawley emphasized the danger Courtney poses to the public, insisting that he should serve the entirety of his prison term. The letter urged the Bureau to reconsider the decision to release Courtney prematurely for the safety and security of the community.

This is not the first time Senator Hawley has intervened in Courtney's case. In 2020, he called for Courtney to serve his full sentence in prison when an early release was considered due to COVID-19 protocols.

The release of Robert Courtney remains a contentious issue, with Senator Hawley steadfast in his opposition to any leniency towards the convicted pharmacist.