Massive Pharmacy Fraud Scheme Involved Bribes for Patient Information
A Florida man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for pharmacy fraud that involved $100 million in scams. The wide-reaching scheme impacted private insurance companies, and Medicare and TRICARE.
The Pharmacy Fraud
Nicholas A. Borgesano Jr., 45, owned A to Z Pharmacy with locations in New Port Richey, Hialeah and Miami. He and 6 other people have been sentenced for their part in a scam that involved shell companies, false reimbursement claims, wire fraud and bribes for patient information.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the pharmacy fraud involved faking the billing codes for reimbursement claims and submitting claims for pharmaceutical ingredients they could not provide. Many of the ingredients were for pain and scar creams and other prescription compounded medications. The pharmacy fraud involved Medicare, private insurance companies, and TRICARE, the military healthcare company.
The paperwork also says the suspects paid kickbacks and bribes in exchange for prescriptions and patient information. This included a physician in exchange for the physician signing prescriptions for patients he never examined.
Following the Money
Borgesano admitted to using A to Z Pharmacy as the hub of his operation on behalf of all his pharmacies. He paid his co-conspirators in the pharmacy fraud through a variety of methods, including by check, wire transfer to other shell companies, and through the purchase of assets.
As part of this investigation, various items and properties totalling over $7 million were seized. Among the items were several cars, including a 1936 Ford Deluxe, a 1964 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro, a 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and a 2008 Lamborghini convertible. Several boats, including a 2009 50’7” Cigarette racing boat, and real estate properties were also forfeited. The properties, cars, and boats had been purchased with ill-gotten gains from the pharmacy fraud scheme.
To learn more about this case or report suspect fraud, contact Jeff Newman Law today!
