On April 28, the Department of Justice announced that Robert Sabet, a New York pharmacy owner, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and engaging in unlawful financial transactions. In total, Sabet is alleged to have amassed $6.8 million from fraudulent conduct.
According to court documents, Sabet is the owner of two New York City pharmacies that were accused of conspiring to bill Medicare and Medicaid for “expensive” prescription drugs that were not needed by patients, were dispensed in connection with kickbacks, or, in some cases, not dispensed at all. As part of the conspiracy, Sabet and others were said to have paid kickbacks and bribes to customers to convince them to fill prescriptions at his pharmacies. The government also accused Sabet of paying customers cash in exchange for the ability to bill Medicare and Medicaid for over-the-counter health care-related products on their behalf.
Sabet pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and to committing unlawful financial transactions. Sabet’s sentencing is scheduled for July 29, and he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan King for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case.
The attorneys at Chilivis Grubman represent clients of all types and sizes in connection with criminal healthcare fraud and government investigations. If you need assistance with such a matter, please contact us today.