Pharmacists charged with Medicaid fraud

Two pharmacists were arrested and charged with stealing more than $500,000 in prescriptions that were improperly paid for by New York state”™s Medicaid program.

Shaeen Begum, a 57-year-old New City resident and Syed Rahman, a 62-year-old Briarcliff Manor resident, were charged with grand larceny in the second degree, a felony, and face sentences of five to 15 years if convicted.

According to the criminal complaint filed in Rockland County Court, Begum and Rahman allegedly conspired to use Raham”™s pharmacy in Briarcliff Manor to bill Medicaid for prescriptions filed by Begum, after Begum”™s pharmacy in New City was barred by the state from doing business with Medicaid. A state investigation in 2008 revealed that Begum and his Kwik Aid Pharmacy were guilty of unprofessional conduct.

Begum owned and operated Kwik Aid Pharmacy in New City and Haverstraw Pharmacy in Garnerville, while Rahman owned Prescription Plus in Briarcliff Manor.

Begum allegedly conspired with Rahman to submit claims for payment under Prescription Plus”™ Medicaid provider number for prescriptions that Begum continued to accept and process at Kwik Aid. Begum and Rahman allegedly engaged in the same scheme with Begum’s Haverstraw Pharmacy, which had never been approved as a Medicaid provider.