Police: Nurse assisted surgery while under influence of alcohol

A registered nurse assisted with an emergency surgery while under the influence of alcohol at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, police said. Richard J. Pieri, 59, of Drums, was charged with recklessly endangering another person, driving under the influence of alcohol and other counts. Police allege he assisted with an emergency surgery on the night of Feb. 4 at the Plains Township hospital after he admitted to drinking between four and five beers at Mohegan Sun Pocono casino earlier that evening. According to police, Pieri said he forgot he was on call.