A pharmacy owner in Mission, was able to post a $100,000 bond and return home after spending almost a week in U.S. Marshal Service detention area. Law enforcement officials arrested the man on suspicion of committing health care fraud. According the prosecution, the owner of Penitas Family Pharmacy participated in filing almost $2 million in fraudulent claims.
A recent release pointed to the pharmacy owner and another man as the two responsible for the scheme. However, the attorney for one of the accused thinks the U.S. Attorney’s Office purposely released the information about the two men and the investigation in order to influence public opinion.
The other individual at the center of the case was a marketer for the pharmacy. He is currently facing two counts of health care fraud among other charges and has yet to secure his release from the detention center. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in a federal prison.
According to prosecutors, the two men allegedly made fraudulent claims with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. They are accused of filing the fraudulent claims for pain patches and scar creams that tend to be fairly expensive.
Currently, the pharmacy owner is facing 16 counts of criminal activity, for which he has pleaded not guilty. Among the charges he faces are health care fraud and identification theft. If the men lose at trial, the court could hand each of them 10-year prison sentences and $250,000 in fines. The government is currently aiming for a $1.4 million judgment.
Criminal charges, especially fraud and identity theft, can carry very severe consequences. If a court has charged you with a criminal act, it is important to remember that you have the right to defend yourself in court. Your attorney will be able to help you defend against the charges and ensure that you get a fair trial.
A federal criminal conviction on your record can hinder future attempts to find gainful employment, rent an apartment, and cause many other problems. In addition to helping you fight back against the charges, your attorney will also be able to help you with the appeals process or sealing your records if you are convicted of a crime.