Janelle Harris, Controlled Substance Distribution, New York 2025
Manhattan pharmacist Janelle Harris, the owner and supervising pharmacist of The Pharmacy @ LCC, has agreed to pay $100,000 to settle a civil Controlled Substances Act lawsuit brought by the U.S. government.
The complaint alleges that The Pharmacy, under Harris's supervision and direction, repeatedly filled prescriptions for controlled substances that contained 'red flags' – warning signs that should have created a reasonable suspicion that the prescriptions were not legitimate.
The settlement resolves claims that Harris and her pharmacy ignored warning signs of diversion and failed to take sufficient steps to resolve them before filling the prescriptions.
As part of the settlement, Harris is barred from serving as a supervising pharmacist for five years and from owning or managing a pharmacy that purchases, stores, or dispenses controlled substances for seven years.
The government's complaint alleged violations of the Controlled Substances Act and asked the court to order Harris to pay penalties pursuant to that statute.
Harris has also executed a Consent Judgment in the amount of $16,700,000, which may be enforced if she does not make the payments required under the settlement agreement.
'Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals cannot turn a blind eye to opioid abuse,' said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. 'Pharmacists who recklessly ignore warning signs of diversion will be held accountable.'
Janelle Harris, Defendant
Controlled Substance Distribution, New York 2025
Harris has agreed to pay $100,000 to settle the lawsuit.
The settlement resolves claims that The Pharmacy, under Harris's supervision and direction, repeatedly filled prescriptions for controlled substances that contained 'red flags' – warning signs that should have created a reasonable suspicion that the prescriptions were not legitimate.
The government's complaint alleged violations of the Controlled Substances Act and asked the court to order Harris to pay penalties pursuant to that statute.
The settlement amount is based on the Office's assessment of Harris's ability to pay based on financial information she provided.
Harris has also executed a Consent Judgment in the amount of $16,700,000, which may be enforced if she does not make the payments required under the settlement agreement.
The consent judgment is in effect for five years from the date of the settlement agreement.
Harris is barred from serving as a supervising pharmacist for five years and from owning or managing a pharmacy that purchases, stores, or dispenses controlled substances for seven years.
Harris's conduct was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration's New York Division.
The settlement was approved on September 5, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff. The case is United States v. Janelle Harris, 18-1234 (S.D.N.Y.).
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →