Psychiatrist’s Oxycodone Deal Leaves Family Griefful
A Manhattan court revealed a disturbing case involving Marianne Gillow, a psychiatrist who allegedly supplied thousands of oxycodone pills to staff at an ESPN production company in 2019. Gillow was treating Maura Mandt, a prominent executive who had been expressly barred from using opioids. Despite this restriction, Gillow admitted to illegally filling prescriptions for a colleague of Mandt’s, knowing the drugs were intended for Mandt herself.
Legal Consequences
- Potential Penalty: Up to seven years in prison and additional serious penalties.
- Actual Outcome: Gillow pleaded, resulting in no jail time. She received a conditional discharge and a $5,000 fine.
- Restrictions: The agreement limits her ability to prescribe controlled substances for three years and opens the possibility of license revocation.
The Human Cost
Mandt succumbed in February 2020 to heart‑related complications, a death that shocked both sports and entertainment circles. Her brother, Michael Mandt, testified in court that the punishment did not fit the crime and that his sister’s life was forever altered by Gillow’s actions. He emphasized Mandt’s trust in the psychiatrist during a difficult period of seeking help.
Prosecutorial Perspective
The prosecution argued that Gillow knew Mandt could not safely take oxycodone yet continued to supply her. A six‑year investigation uncovered that Gillow sent the drugs to a pharmacy for pickup by Mandt’s staffer. Investigators highlighted ignored warning signs of addiction.
Defense Stance
Gillow’s attorney admitted responsibility for the prescriptions but denied any blame for Mandt’s death, citing a long career of patient care. Gillow declined to speak to the court.
Family’s Call for Accountability
The family has chosen to publicize the case, aiming to hold Gillow accountable and prevent similar abuses. They note that while legal outcomes are debated, the harm inflicted on Mandt and her loved ones remains undeniable.
