Trivillian’s Pharmacy Owner Pleads Guilty to Fraud

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In a stunning admission of guilt, Paula Butterfield, owner and pharmacist-in-charge of Trivillian’s Pharmacy in Kanawha City, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to federal health care and drug crimes. Butterfield, along with her pharmacy, faced charges for a massive scheme that defrauded Medicare and Medicaid.

The plea comes after an extensive investigation revealed that Trivillian’s Pharmacy billed for more expensive brand name drugs while actually dispensing cheaper generics or expired medications. The pharmacy also admitted to compounding drugs in unsanitary conditions and billing for drugs never dispensed. Butterfield, a self-admitted Medicare beneficiary, pleaded guilty to submitting false claims on her own behalf.

Trivillian’s Pharmacy faces significant penalties, including a fine of up to $1 million or twice the gross financial gain, whichever is greater. The owner, Paula Butterfield, could be sentenced to up to five years in federal prison and face fines of $250,000. Both are scheduled for sentencing on May 28, 2015.

United States Attorney Booth Goodwin announced a civil settlement with Trivillian’s and Butterfield, recovering $1.1 million on behalf of Medicare and West Virginia Medicaid, more than three times the loss suffered by the programs. ‘Cheating Medicare and Medicaid is really cheating the American taxpayer,’ said Goodwin.

The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including the United States Health and Human Services, FDA Office of Criminal Investigation, West Virginia State Police, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Eumi Choi is handling the prosecution.