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Article Index"As we have seen historically, this type of health care fraud and street level distribution doesn't occur without the involvement of the medical providers," said state Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Riza Dagli. "Criminal activity by doctors, pharmacists, and other professionals who are in a position of public trust is particularly egregious and is a priority for this office."
Investigators executed search warrants at the homes of Silverman and Lisi. Searches of the doctors' offices, Tucker Pharmacy and Five Corners Pharmacy are underway.
Bank accounts containing more than $1 million were seized Tuesday. They were seized in connection with an action filed by the Division of Criminal Justice to seize and forfeit assets as alleged proceeds and instruments of the defendants' criminal activities, including residential and commercial real estate, vehicles, bank accounts and safe deposit boxes.
In addition, approximately $7,000 in cash was seized from Lisi and his house, along with several falsely labeled prescription bottles, a quantity of OxyContin pills, and several fraudulent prescriptions for narcotics. Another $8,000 was seized from a safe deposit box in Lisi's name. Approximately $20,000 was seized at Silverman's house, along with crack cocaine, a quantity of OxyContin pills, and several falsely labeled prescription bottles.
Silverman, Lisi and Kelly are charged with distribution of drugs within 500 Feet of public property. Lisi is also charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Kelly was also charged with distribution of drugs within 1,000 feet of a school.
Doctors Howell and Elamir were charged with distribution of drugs, health care claims fraud and Medicaid fraud.
Pharmacists Bamdad and Tadros were charged with health care claims fraud and Medicaid fraud.
Burkhardt and Kennedy were each charged with distribution of drugs within 500 feet of public property, distribution of drugs, and distribution of drugs within 1,000 feet of a school. Reed and Oliver were each charged with conspiracy to distribute drugs. Taraboccia and Bussanich were each charged with possession of drugs with intent to distribute.
Additional arrests are expected.
The arrested defendants are being held in the Hudson County Jail in lieu of bails ranging from $75,000 to $150,000. They are expected to be arraigned Wednesday before state Superior Court Judge Kevin G. Callahan in Jersey City.
Milgram credited Det. Kevin Gannon and Sgt. Fred Weidman of the Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for leading the investigation under the supervision of Deputy Attorney General Erik Daab, Deputy Chief of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and Deputy Attorneys General Debra Conrad and Cynthia Vazquez.
They were assisted by the Jersey City police Special Investigation Unit that includes Capt. Gary Lallo, Sgt. Anthony Musante, Sgt. Wally Wolf, Det. Wael Shahid, Det. Jeff Guilfoyle, Det. Vincent Disbrow, Det. Hector Marrero, Officer Alex Torres, Officer Chris Dolan, and Officer Erik Infantes.
Deputy Attorney General Carol Stanton Meier, Det. Sgt. Scott Naismyth and Analyst Bethany Schussler are handling the asset forfeiture action for the Division of Criminal Justice.
– TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
