14-02-2025
Phoenix-area pharmacist sentenced in $13M insurance fraud case
An Arizona pharmacist was one of four people sentenced for his role in a conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced earlier in February that Phoenix-area pharmacist Raef Hamaed was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Hamaed received the harshest punishment among the four. The other three defendants received sentences in January of two to seven years in prison, DOJ said. The last defendant was sentenced on Feb. 6 to five years and five months in prison.
The agency said the four men billed Medicare, Medicaid and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for prescription medications they did not disperse at five pharmacies they owned and operated.
Three pharmacies were located in Michigan, and the other two were in Ohio.
Hamaed was convicted for his role in the conspiracy at all five pharmacies in September 2024, according to the agency. The other defendants were convicted for their role at specific pharmacies.
The DOJ stated the fraud cost Medicare, Medicaid and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan a $13 million loss.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona pharmacist gets 10 years in prison for $13M insurance fraud
