Former Owatonna Clinic nurse Sue Ann Peterson on Monday publicly apologized to her family, friends and community in Freeborn County District Court for reportedly forging more than 200 prescription drug medications last year to feed what she described as an “insane” addiction.

During her sentencing for the crimes, Peterson, 54, said she takes full responsibility for her actions and noted she is in her seventh month of chemical-dependency recovery.

“I’m not going to shut the door on my past,” she said.

Peterson said she speaks to women going through chemical-dependency treatment at Fountain Lake Treatment Center, intends to pursue a degree as an addiction counselor and wants to educate the public on the disease of addiction.

Freeborn County District Court Judge Steve Schwab said Peterson was found guilty of one charge of aggravated forgery by means of a plea agreement by her lawyer and the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office.

The intent of the plea was to unite all of the instances of fraud under one charge, or what can be labeled as one continuing behavior, Freeborn County Assistant Attorney David Walker said at the time.

Schwab sentenced Peterson to a stay of imposition with no executed jail time, which is what was recommended by both the prosecution and the defense.

According to court documents, Peterson forged signatures on 267 prescriptions for her or her husband from Jan. 8 through Dec. 10, 2008. The prescriptions totaled 12,003 pills or tablets.

Those prescriptions were found on records from Walgreens, Snyder Drug, Curt’s Pharmacy, Shopko, Hy-Vee, Sterling Drug and Wal-Mart in Albert Lea, documents state. They included pills such as Hydrocodone-APAP, Vicodin, Tramadol HCL, Methotrexate, Folic Acid, Keflex, Ultram, Prednisone, Azithromycin and others.

Schwab said Peterson will be on probation for up to 10 years for the crime and is fined $1,206, which includes court costs.

She must obey local, state and national laws, report to her agent as directed, abstain from alcohol or mood-altering chemicals, not use or own a firearm, and get permission before leaving the state, among other conditions.

Schwab said Peterson is required to complete 100 hours of community service within six months, and she must notify the state nursing certification board of her felony conviction. She must disclose all of her prescriptions and medical appointments to her agent.

During the court proceedings Monday, Peterson’s lawyer, Daryl Bail, said his client realizes her addiction was out of control. The intervention through law enforcement is something that actually saved her life, the lawyer said.

Bail said Peterson has been on suspension as a nurse since her arrest last December, and it is expected that her license is going to be permanently revoked.