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NEW YORK (AP) - A New York City doctor once lauded for her AIDS treatment work is blaming her multiple personality disorder for a prescription painkillers scheme that defrauded Medicaid out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Diana Williamson wrote phony prescriptions for about 11,000 pills that were sold on the street. She blames a mischievous and irresponsible personality named Nala.

Two decades ago, Williamson made a business magazine's list of young professionals on the rise.

Defense lawyer Jonathan Marks said Monday in court Williamson also has other illnesses that would make any prison time a death sentence.

Federal Judge Loretta Preska says she'll await a prison report on the difficulty of treating Williamson's medical issues before announcing her sentence.