A New Jersey nurse has admitted to her role in a multimillion-dollar compounding fraud scheme, authorities announced.
New Jersey nurse Jennifer Nash, 51, of River Vale, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez to an information charging her with conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Nash was recruited by two individuals who owned a pharmaceutical marketing company to write prescriptions for customized drugs known as ‘compounded medications’ in exchange for payment.
Nash wrote these prescriptions regardless of whether a health insurance plan beneficiary needed such a medication, and she also wrote them even though her Advance Practice Nurse license was inactive or suspended, on other occasions, Nash wrote prescriptions for compounded medications, in exchange for cash payments, without meeting with or examining patients.
In addition to authorizing these medically unnecessary prescriptions, Nash served as a sales representative and collected large commission payments in exchange for marketing these compounded medications without regard to whether a beneficiary needed such a medication or whether an FDA-approved medication would have been appropriate and sufficient.
The conspiracy count to which Nash pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for July 6, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, and Defense Criminal Investigative Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Osmar J. Benvenuto and José R. Almonte of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.
Mandatory Facts:
Defendant: Jennifer Nash
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit health care fraud
City and State: Newark, New Jersey
Exact Date: 2021-07-06
Sentence or Outcome: Maximum 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greater.
Dollar Amounts: $250,000 fine
Related Federal Cases
- Vincent J. Gamuzza, Health Care Fraud, NJ, 2023 · Pennsylvania
- Eduardo Arango Chong, Health Care Fraud, FL 2016 · New Hampshire
- Sergio Acosta, Health Care Benefits Fraud, NJ 2024 · Pennsylvania
- Ricardo Reid, Mail and Wire Fraud Conspiracy, New Jersey 2024 · New Jersey
- Michael Conway, Wire Fraud, New Jersey 2016 · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Health Care Fraud|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News