Jul. 4--A former Beaver County pharmacist was sentenced Friday to 57 months in federal prison for bilking the state Medicaid program, insurance companies and drug manufacturers through fake transactions.

Peter Antinopoulos, 57, of Sewickley also was ordered by U.S. District Judge Alan N. Bloch to pay $683,000 in restitution, including a first payment of $33,000 within 10 days.

Antinopoulos pleaded guilty in April to mail fraud and illegal distribution of a controlled substance.

From January 2003 to September 2005, Antinopoulos submitted invoices for fictitious transactions to the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare and insurance and pharmaceutical companies, said prosecutors. One drug company, McKesson, lost approximately $480,000, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

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