A Canonsburg man was charged yesterday with insurance fraud, forgery and violations of the controlled substances act for allegedly forging prescriptions to obtain pain medication.

Authorities believe James Henry Baker, 45, stole a blank prescription pad from the VA Medical Center in Pittsburgh where he worked as a surgical technician and filled out prescriptions for Vicodin, Lortab and other pain medications. Mr. Becker then submitted false claims to his insurance provider for the drugs, according to the criminal complaint.

Mr. Becker told police he believed obtaining pain medication "was one of the perks when you work in a hospital."

He was already in the Washington County Correctional Facility for an unrelated parole violation when he was charged.