Coon Rapids Man Charged For Stealing Prosthetics From The U Of M, Selling Them Online

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a 52-year-old Coon Rapids man was charged with allegedly stealing prosthetics and related supplies from the University of Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview and selling them online. Peter Stasica was charged via an Information with one count of wire fraud.

Allegedly, from February to August 2011, Stasica, who was then Prosthetics manager for Fairview’s Orthotics and Prosthetics Department, began removing prosthetics and prosthetic-related supplies without authorization to sell on eBay. In addition, Stasica allegedly solicited under false pretenses from several patients prosthetics they were not using. Stasica did not disclose to those patients that he intended to sell their prosthetics.

If convicted, Stasica faces a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. All sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge. This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David M. Genrich.

A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.