A doctor from the Walnutport area has been accused of illegally writing prescriptions for powerful painkillers, made out to his ex-wife.

The Lehigh County District Attorney's office on Friday announced charges against Steven T. Puccio, 52, of Lehigh Township, Northampton County.

Puccio allegedly prescribed powerful painkillers to his ex-wife, Rachel, during and after their five-year marriage, and she reportedly became addicted.

Rachel Puccio told police that became addicted to Benzodiazepines during the time that they were married, between 2003-2007. She said the drugs were prescribed by her ex-husband.

She also told police that Steven Puccio continued to write prescriptions for Oxycodone and methadone, a total of 28, between 2007 and 2014.

Steven Puccio surrendered to police Friday morning, and was arraigned on charges before a magisterial district judge in Allentown.

Puccio voluntarily surrendered his medical license in July, according to police. According to a profile on LinkedIn, he was employed by St. Luke's University Health Network from 2006 until April of this year.

Charges include Prescribing Controlled Substances Outside of Medical Treatment Principles, which is a felony.

He is currently out on $50,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing has been set for set for October 21 at 10:30 a.m.