Melisha Oxendine West, Healthcare Fraud, North Carolina 2021
A Pembroke woman has pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Healthcare fraud in North Carolina. According to court documents, Melisha Oxendine West was employed at Townsend's Pharmacy in Red Springs, North Carolina, from 2006 to July 2017.
During this time, West conspired with the owner of the pharmacy and others to bill fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurers, such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC. According to the charge, West and others did this by fraudulently reauthorizing previously existing prescriptions from licensed medical providers, and billing health care benefit programs as though those drugs had been dispensed.
West pleaded guilty to a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349. This charge alleges that West conspired with others to commit healthcare fraud.
The charge carries a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine amounting to as much as twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. West's sentencing before United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan will not occur earlier than 90 days from today.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after United States Magistrate Judge Robert Jones accepted the plea. The United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General is investigating the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. Gilmore is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:21-cr-00129-FL-1.
Defendant's Information:
Melisha Oxendine West, Defendant
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to Commit Healthcare fraud, Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349
City and State: Pembroke, North Carolina
Date: No exact date given, but sentencing will occur no earlier than 90 days from today
Sentence: Up to 10 years in prison and a fine amounting to as much as twice the gross gain or loss from the offense
Dollar Amounts: None
Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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