Prescription Scam: Miami Pharmacy Filed Phony Claims

MIAMI, FL — A Miami businessman was convicted of filing hundreds of thousands of dollars in phony prescription claims through the Golden Owl Pharmacy & Discount Corp. Forty-eight-year-old Nieves Suarez was found guilty of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and four substantive counts of healthcare fraud. Federal prosecutors said Medicare reimbursed the pharmacy a total of $1.6 million, but it could not account for $915,784.

The conviction was announced Wednesday by U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan in Miami, FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Lasky of the Miami Field Office, Special Agent in ChargeShimon R. Richmon of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Inspector General.

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"Suarez owned and operated a fraudulent community retail pharmacy," according to federal prosecutors. "Suarez was the president, director, and registered agent of Golden Owl Pharmacy & Discount Corp., located at 1874 SW 57th Ave, Miami, Florida."

Prosecutors said that Golden Owl made some drug purchases, but audits discovered shortages totaling $915,784.

Sentencing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Dec. 12 before U.S. District Judge Marcia G. Cooke.

Suarez faces up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy charge and 10 years in prison for each substantive healthcare fraud count of conviction.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Clark.

Photo by Paul Scicchitano