Telugu Pharmacist Admits to $2.4 Million Fraud In U.S.

Srinivasa Raju, 51, of Haskell, New Jersey, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges that violate the federal anti-kickback statute. The pharmacy employee admitted conspiring to offer and pay bribes and kickbacks to get prescriptions routed to Morris County, New Jersey, pharmacy where he worked.

Raju admitted to the charges via video conference before the US district judge. Earlier, Magdalena Jimenez, 58, of Newark, pleaded guilty to a similar bribery and kickback scheme from the same pharmacy.

In the case of Raju, he held various responsibilities at the pharmacy that included coordinating prescription deliveries and getting business. Raju worked with other employees to pay kickbacks and bribes to medical employees in two different doctors’ offices in New Jersey.

Through this process, several high-value prescriptions were made for the pharmacy where Raju worked. In all, the pharmacy received $2.4 million in Medicare reimbursement payments.

Now, the conspiracy charge means up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or the gross gain or loss derived from the offense.