HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A Connecticut dentist has been charged with illegally prescribing oxycodone and other drugs to people who were not treated at his office or did not have legitimate reasons for the painkillers.

The Courant reports that Peter Delaney was held on $500,000 bail at his arraignment Tuesday on 45 counts of illegally prescribing controlled medications.

Prosecutors sought high bail, saying the 47-year-old West Hartford man was a flight risk. They say he recently emptied his bank account and told a bank employee he was leaving the state because police were after him.

Delaney's attorney disputed that, saying his client is married with three children.

Police started investigating after a suspected bank robber told police his drug supplier was Delaney.

Police say Delaney wrote the prescriptions, then paid cash for pills.