Jersey City Woman Admitted To Role In $24.8M Kickback Scheme

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A Jersey City woman pleaded guilty to her role in a multimillion-dollar conspiracy to solicit and receive kickbacks and bribes from a Union City pharmacy.

Yudelka “Vicky” Ayala, 42, of Jersey City, pleaded guilty to an information charging her with conspiring to violate the federal anti-kickback statute.

The charges claim Ayala conspired with six other people associated with Prime Aid Pharmacy, in the kickback conspiracy.

Ayala worked at a doctor’s office in Jersey City and, according to court documents, developed a long-standing and illegal kickback relationship with several individuals associated with the Prime Aid Pharmacies, which processed expensive medications used to treat various conditions. In order to get more prescriptions from the doctor’s office where Ayala worked, Ayala was paid kickbacks and bribes to induce her to steer prescriptions to Prime Aid Union City, according to court documents.

From 2008 to August 2017, the bribes included expensive meals, designer bags, and payments by cash, check, and wire transfers. In total, Ayala accepted bribes and kickbacks totaling at least $219,060, according to court documents. The prescriptions that were steered to Prime Aid Union City as part of the scheme resulted in Medicare and Medicaid payments to the pharmacy of approximately $24.8 million.

The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 20, 2021.