Rockland pharmacist pleads guilty to insurance and tax fraud

A Rockland-based pharmacist faces up to 10 years in federal prison for robbing government health programs of $5.3 million.

Andrew Barrett, 57, of New City, former owner of Clarkstown Pharmacy and pharmacies in the Bronx and Queens, pleaded guilty to charges involving the theft of $2.7 million from Medicare and Medicaid for prescription medication he never gave to patients, according to federal prosecutors.

Barrett also admitted to taking $2.6 for personal expenses from his pharmacies by claiming them as business expenses on his tax returns. The fraud occurred in 2011 and 2012 according to an indictment.

According to the indictment, Barrett falsely billed government health care programs for drugs like HIV-AIDS medications that were never given to patients. He also billed for refills that were never asked for. On top of a possible prison term, Barrett faces fines up to at least $125,000.

Barrett had 30 criminal counts dropped as part of a plea agreement in May.

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