LAKE WYLIE, S.C. -- It's a wicked twist of fate. A Lake Wylie doctor, who just three years ago was named Citizen of the Year, deals with accusations that he wrote bogus prescriptions -- the drugs ultimately sold illegally on the streets.
"Oh, goodness, probably eight years or so," says Brittany Markolf, explaining how long she has been coming to CaroMont Family Medicine of Lake Wylie to see Dr. Steve Miszkiewicz. "He's great, very understanding, gets me in, gets me out."
But his patients are just now hearing about a lawsuit he faced from the federal government. The U.S. Attorney's Office says Miszkiewicz agreed to pay $72,000 to settle allegations that he improperly prescribed Oxycontin to a man who was in prison.
During that man's three years behind bars, the government alleges Miszkiewicz gave the prescriptions to the inmate's wife, who was then selling the drugs once she filled them. Their main concern: illegal drugs being filtered onto the street.
From first-time patients to long-time patients, many in Lake Wylie find the accusations hard to believe, as the doctor had more than a good reputation.
In 2006, the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce named Miszkiewicz "Citizen of the Year" for volunteer services he provided at the Clover Area Assistance Center. He also served as president of his neighborhood association.
We tried to talk to Miszkiewicz by phone and in person, and while he was willing at first, he later told us through an assistant "no comment."
Markolf says, "I don't know anything about it, but I don't think he's the type of person to do anything wrong."