44 Indicted In Health Care Fraud And Drug Distribution Scheme
Forty-Four Individuals Indicted in Health Care Fraud and Drug Distribution Scheme
Seven Doctors, Four Pharmacists, Three Home Health Agency Owners Among Those Indicted
Forty-four individuals have been charged in a health care fraud and drug distribution scheme, U.S. Attorney
McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Robert L. Corso of the
The 13-count superseding indictment charges 44 new defendants with a drug conspiracy involving prescription drug controlled substances such as Oxycontin, Opana, Vicodin, and other drugs. Health care fraud charges were filed against 32 of the defendants, while three defendants were charged with money laundering and three defendants were charged with being felons in possession of firearms.
The superseding indictment alleges that
The indictment further alleges a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances by the health care owners, physicians, pharmacies, and recruiters to facilitate the submission of false claims to
The indictment further alleges illegal money laundering by pharmacists
The 44 new defendants named in the 13-count indictment are
pharmacist
office manager
office manager
pharmacist
pharmacist
physician
physician
physician
physician
physician
physician
physician assistant
foreign medical student Faraj Ghabag, 33, of
home health agency owners
home health agency owner
his assistant
home health agency owner
business partner co-owner David Vezzossi, 52, of
marketer
marketer
marketer
marketer
marketer
marketer
marketer
marketer
marketer
marketer
marketer
couriers
distributors
electronic transfer nominee
"The merger of health care fraud and drug trafficking is a disturbing trend that is not only robbing taxpayers but also fueling addictions to prescription drugs," McQuade said. "Prescription drug abuse has become a national epidemic, with more Americans dying from overdoses than from gunshot wounds."
FBI Special Agent in Charge Foley stated, "These arrests are the result of countless hours of hard work by the
Acting ATF Special Agent in Charge Gil Salinas stated, "The combined law enforcement intelligence and resources were crucial in addressing this criminal element and in making our communities safer. ATF continues to pursue the those who continually endanger our communities. I commend the outstanding collaboration of our
Special Agent in Charge Erick Martinez, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation added that these crimes committed by doctors and pharmacists were worse than many typical schemes: "These illegal activities are done primarily to make money, and once the money is in the hands of the suspects, it's hard for them to deny their involvement."
"The public rightfully expects that doctors will uphold professional standards rather than exploit patients for personal gain," said
Police Chief
Of the 10 defendants charged in the earlier indictment, all have been convicted by pleas over the last year. Those defendants included
The investigation in this case was handled by the
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Copyright: | (c) 2011 Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc. |
Source: | Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc. |
Wordcount: | 1676 |
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