Former top opioid prescriber, Dr. Raymond K. Kraynak, is seeking a new judge for his appeal of his conviction and 15-year prison sentence. He claims that Judge Matthew W. Brann is not impartial and accuses the court reporter of altering his testimony at the sentencing hearing. Kraynak plans to file a motion challenging the validity of his conviction once he has an attorney appointed to represent him. He alleges that part of his testimony on his innocence is missing from the transcript and plans to seek an evidentiary hearing on the matter.
Kraynak claims to have discovered the altered transcript after being transferred to a federal prison in Connecticut. His attempts to contact his court-appointed lawyer were unsuccessful, and he found her dismissive when he finally did reach her. He has made criminal referrals to various officials and filed a judicial misconduct complaint in an effort to address his concerns.
Kraynak pleaded guilty in 2021 after being accused of prescribing large amounts of opioids outside of standard medical practice. Despite claiming innocence, his appeal was denied by a Third Circuit panel and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear his case. Kraynak has been appealing his conviction, citing ineffective counsel and claiming innocence, since his sentencing in August 2022.
The former doctor practiced at Keystone Family Medicine Associates in Mount Carmel and Shamokin until his license was suspended in 2017. He now seeks a new judge and attorney to oversee his case.
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