N.J. Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Medicaid Fraud

New Jersey Attorney General Peter Harvey announced that a Union County pharmacist has pleaded guilty to Health Care Claims Fraud for reportedly submitting fraudulent prescriptions to the Medicaid Program.

According to Vaughn McKoy, director, Division of Criminal Justice and Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Steven Aberbach, of Somerset County, pleaded guilty on Dec. 19 before Union County Superior Court Judge Walter Barisonek to an Accusation filed by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor. The Accusation charged Aberbach with Health Care Claims Fraud (2nd degree). Aberbach faces up to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. He is scheduled for sentencing by Judge Barisonek on Feb. 13, 2004.

Gooden Brown noted that in pleading guilty, Aberbach reportedly admitted that from August, 2001 through June, 2003, he submitted fraudulent billings to the Medicaid Program using the accounts of legitimate Medicaid patients.