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Defendant Sentenced for Health Care Fraud in Florida
Fort Myers, Florida – In a shocking turn of events, Delmer Holmes Parrish, a licensed pharmacist from Naples, has been sentenced for his role in a conspiracy to commit health care fraud that operated from Sunshine Pharmacy in Naples, Florida.
Parrish, 44, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for his crimes, which also included using the means of identification of individuals who were enrolled in the Medicaid, Medicare, or TRICARE programs without their knowledge or consent.
His wife, Patricia Parrish, 74, also received punishment for her role in the scheme. She was sentenced to three years of probation, including 120 days of home confinement, and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
According to court documents, the Parrishes, along with others, used Sunshine Pharmacy and Sunshine Solutions to further their unlawful scheme to defraud the government. They submitted and caused claims to be submitted for reimbursement from the Medicaid, Medicare, and TRICARE programs for prescriptions not filled or provided to beneficiaries and recipients, including prescriptions for patients that had not been written or authorized by any duly licensed physician.
The scheme, which operated from February 2009 to July 2012, resulted in the government being defrauded of approximately $351,358.14. However, the defendants made 100% restitution to Medicare, a move praised by authorities.
“Today’s sentencing, which is punctuated by the defendants’ having made 100% restitution to Medicare, clearly demonstrates the success of the Strike Force model,” said Brian Martens, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, in Tampa.
This case was brought as part of the Medicare Strike Force and was investigated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Naples Police Department, Collier County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Secret Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David G. Lazarus.
Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged more than 1,700 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $5.5 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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