Newark, N.J. – In a stunning admission, Thomas Conzo, 49, of Staten Island, New York, has pleaded guilty to a massive health care fraud scheme that bilked Medicare and Medicaid out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Conzo, the operator of Elite Pharmacy in Linden, NJ, is accused of submitting falsified prescriptions to health care benefit programs. The deceitful scheme spanned from August 2022 to March 2023, with authorities revealing the total fraudulently claimed reached into the hundreds of thousands.
According to court documents and statements, Conzo utilized the credentials of pharmacists who were not affiliated with Elite Pharmacy, bypassing proper review and authorization processes. The fraudulent claims were submitted on behalf of Elite Pharmacy, a specialty pharmacy that fell under Conzo’s control.
The charge of health care fraud against Conzo carries a severe penalty: up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross profit from the offense, whichever is greater. Sentencing has been scheduled for December 4, 2025, ensuring justice will be served for this brazen act.
U.S. Attorney Alina Habba praised the efforts of various law enforcement agencies in the investigation that led to Conzo’s arraignment. Special agents from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and Federal Bureau of Investigation were instrumental in the probe.
The case is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney George Brandley of the Health Care Fraud and Opioids Enforcement Unit in Newark, while defense counsel for Conzo is Maria Noto, Esq. The public will be eagerly awaiting the outcome of this high-profile fraud case.
###
RELATED: Staten Island Cop Swindles $212k in Benefits, Pleads Guilty
RELATED: Brooklyn Crypto Scammer ‘T.J. Stone’ Pleads Guilty to $1.3M Wire Fraud
Related Federal Cases
- Shawn Hilliard Gets 12 Years for $1.3M Bank Fraud Scheme · Pennsylvania
- Irfan Amanat Charged in $2M KITD, Maiden Capital Fraud Scheme · New Jersey
- Norman D’Souza Sentenced in $18M Loan Fraud Scheme · New Jersey
- Michael Conway Busted in $4.5M Lease Fraud Scheme · New Jersey
- Habib Chaudhry Nabbed in $200M Credit Card Fraud Scheme · New Jersey
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News