Ex-Miss Russia fights new drug charges in US
NEW YORK—Prosecutors say a former Miss Russia kept forging prescriptions to get herself painkillers in New York City even after she was arrested on charges of doing the same.
Anna Malova pleaded not guilty Tuesday to petit larceny, forgery and other charges in a new indictment. It adds dozens of new charges.
Malova is being considered for a program designed to channel addicted offenders to treatment instead of jail. Her lawyer says she has started rehabilitation.
Prosecutors say the 39-year-old Malova stole prescription pads from psychiatrists’ offices. She was arrested in February 2010 and again last May. Prosecutors now say she kept trying to fill forged prescriptions as recently as this winter.
Malova was Miss Russia in 1998 and once finished in the Top 10 in the Miss Universe pageant.