CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A traveling hospital technician accused of infecting 30 people with hepatitis C with tainted needles in New Hampshire told investigators he “lied to a lot of people” and “fabricated” his life, but denied taking or selling drugs.

David Kwiatkowski, a former technician at Exeter Hospital, was arrested Thursday morning at a Massachusetts hospital where he was receiving treatment. Once he is well enough to be released, he will be transferred to New Hampshire to face federal drug charges, said U.S. Attorney John Kacavas, who called Kwiatkowski, 33, a “serial infector” who worked in at least half a dozen states.

Authorities in at least six states are investigating whether Kwiatkowski, who was a traveling hospital technician, also exposed earlier patients to the liver-destroying disease.

An FBI affidavit said Kwiatkowsi told police on July 2 he first became aware of his own hepatitis C diagnosis in May. Kacavas, however, said here is evidence Kwiatkowski had the liverdestroying disease since at least at least June 2010.

When asked how patients at Exeter contracted it, he said, “You know, I’m more concerned about myself, my own well-being.”

Investigators believe Kwiatkowski stole syringes containing fentanyl, a powerful anesthetic more potent than morphine, and injected himself with them. They said he then put another liquid, such as saline, into the syringes, which were later used for patients. They said a search of his vehicle found an empty fentanyl syringe and several needles.

“I did not take any drugs or do any drugs … and I’m gonna stick to that,” he told investigators. When he was told that a syringe bearing a fentanyl label was found in a bag in his vehicle, he said it was not his and suggested that it had been planted by a co-worker.

Kwiatkowski said he “fabricated my life,” saying two of the biggest lies he had told were claiming he played baseball at the University of Michigan and that his fiancie had died.



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