NJ doctor admits role in health care fraud conspiracy

Brian Sokalsky, 44, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler to one count of conspiring to commit health care fraud. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced Aug. 22.

Sokalsky's co-conspirators, pharmaceutical sales representative Vincent Tornari, 49, of Linwood, and former nurse practitioner Ashley Lyons-Valenti, 66, of Swedesboro, Gloucester County, also pleaded guilty to charges in the scheme that involved compounded medications, which are mixed by a pharmacist to meet specific patient needs, such as allergies to dyes or other ingredients.

More than 45 people have been charged in the health care scheme that was uncovered in 2017, when Margate was subpoenaed for its employees' health insurance information. Investigators said the scheme that targeted holders of state-funded health insurance programs cost those programs roughly $50 million.

Prosecutors say Sokalsky agreed to authorize prescriptions for former pharmaceutical sales representative Matthew Tedesco, 47, of Linwood, who pleaded guilty to health care fraud conspiracy in June 2017, and others working with Tedesco, such as Mark Bruno, 48, of Northfield, who pleaded guilty in December 2019 to health care fraud conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

Sokalsky authorized medically unnecessary medications, such as libido creams, for young females and excessive quantities of medication with the maximum number of refills selected.

He billed insurance for about 30 patients referred to his new practice by Tedesco, and authorized prescriptions for his existing patients to financially benefit Tedesco to encourage more patients to his new practice.

Tedesco told Sokalsky he needed to authorize new prescriptions since insurance stopped covering certain formulations of the medications. Sokalsky did so, often without seeing the individual for follow-up visits or informing the person of the change in medication.

In total, insurance paid more than $5 million for fraudulent prescriptions authorized by Sokalsky.

Contact Selena Vazquez:[email protected]