Latest news with #prescriptionfraud
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Yahoo
Nurse accused of taking bribes for 'unnecessary' prescriptions, part of $14B case involving Russian criminals
Ever wonder what a $200 cash bribe might get you at your doctor's office? For certain patients of one Connecticut nurse, such a bribe apparently bought them prescriptions for medications they didn't need — and for the nurse, it bought a one-way ticket to federal indictment. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Michele Rene Luzzi Muzyka, a 60-year-old advanced practice registered nurse in Cheshire, Connecticut, now finds herself caught in the Justice Department's net following the largest health care fraud sweep in American history. Codenamed 'Operation Gold Rush,' the nationwide crackdown identified a staggering $14.6 billion in fraudulent claims, resulting in charges against more than 300 defendants, according to WFSB. The numbers tied to this case are truly staggering: 324 defendants — including 96 health care professionals — now face charges across 50 federal districts and 12 state Attorneys General Offices. Doctors, nurse practitioners and pharmacists are reportedly among the 96 health care professionals arrested. But while $14.6 billion was bilked from the health care system, authorities have so far managed to recover about $245 million in assets, ranging from cash to luxury vehicles. According to federal prosecutors, Muzyka's alleged scheme was relatively straightforward — and brazenly illegal: patients would show up, hand over $200 in cash and walk out with prescriptions for controlled substances they couldn't get through legal means. But what Muzyka didn't know was that one of those 'patients' was actually an undercover agent posing as a Medicaid beneficiary who paid Muzyka the $200 fee and received an illegal prescription. While Muzyka's case is shocking on its own, it's just one thread in a massive criminal operation that federal investigators have been unraveling. Muzyka's arrest came as part of an investigation into a Russian criminal organization that had established elaborate health care fraud operations in Connecticut. This transnational crime syndicate allegedly purchased dozens of legitimate companies that already had Medicare billing privileges and used them to submit millions of dollars in fraudulent claims. This criminal organization also reportedly stole thousands of identities — particularly targeting vulnerable elderly and disabled Americans — and funneled millions overseas to China and Malaysia. Read more: Americans are 'revenge saving' to survive — but millions only get a measly 1% on their savings. When Medicare and Medicaid funds are fraudulently stolen, everyone in America — from individuals to businesses — are affected. 'Don't be fooled into thinking that health care fraud is a victimless crime,' states the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association. 'Fraudulent claims carry a very high price tag, both financially and in how they impact our perception of the integrity and value of our health care system.' Health care fraud causes tens of billions of dollars in Medicare and Medicaid losses each year, according to the FBI, and such losses can put increased pressure on these programs. This can translate into stricter coverage policies, higher premiums and reduced benefits for the millions of Americans who depend on these programs for their health care. The involvement of health care professionals in these schemes is particularly troubling. When providers like Muzyka illegally prioritize profit over patient care, it erodes the fundamental trust between health care providers and patients. This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk Here are the 6 levels of wealth for retirement-age Americans — are you near the top or bottom of the pyramid? Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Money doesn't have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Irish Times
10-07-2025
- Irish Times
Doctor who had opioid addiction is spared jail for stealing and forging prescriptions
A doctor who told a court that work stress caused his chronic opioid addiction and led him to steal and forge prescriptions is to be spared jail and a criminal record. Daniel Nevin (39) pleaded guilty at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court to the theft of prescription pads from two hospitals, 46 counts of forgery and using false instruments between 2021 and last year. His fiancee Rebecca Moylan (35), a qualified nurse, admitted stealing prescriptions and unlawfully using them in pharmacies. Judge Keenan Johnson said these offences undermined the integrity of the medical prescription system and said Nevin was in the throes of an addiction but had never put a patient at risk. READ MORE He said the couple whose careers have been ruined and reputations tarnished had only damaged themselves, saying, 'The main victims of this are the two accused.' Nevin achieved a PhD from Trinity College Dublin, specialising in pharmacology, and had worked in medical research in Australia before returning to Ireland to continue his studies. He qualified as a medical doctor in 2018. When the addiction started in 2019 he tried to tackle the problem, but relapsed around the period of offending. Judge Johnson said Nevin was a 'high achiever', but had removed himself from working onwards as a clinician and moved into a tutoring role at Midlands Regional General Hospital. The judge was also mindful of the pressures placed on medical professionals working 24-hour shifts in busy environments. He said the couple did not reach the threshold for a custodial sentence and said they had paid a huge price. Judge Johnson said they could be spared convictions and would receive the benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act if Nevin and his fiancee donated €15,000 and €5,000 respectively to the Merchant Quay drug treatment project as a form of restorative justice. Among Nevin's charges were thefts of prescriptions from University Hospital Galway between July 2021 and July 2023 and from the Midlands Regional General Hospital in Mullingar from July 10th, 2023, until February 18th last year. The remaining charges he admitted included three counts of using false prescriptions in pharmacies in Kells, Co Meath, at Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath, and in Tullamore, Co Offaly. Moylan admitted theft of prescription pads from St James's Hospital in Dublin from September 1st, 2023, until November that year and using prescriptions forged by her partner in several pharmacies. The couple, of Greenpark Meadows, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, used a fictitious patient's name on most of the prescriptions to get OxyContin, a highly addictive opioid-based medicine. Their offending was exposed when a pharmacist in Mullingar became suspicious in May last year, the court heard. He contacted University Hospital Galway and discovered they had no record of the prescription or the named patient. In court, Nevin agreed with his barrister, Colm Smyth SC, that the 'stress and strain of the job precipitated and aggravated' Nevin's addiction. The doctor initially managed to buy opioids online before he sought help to tackle the problem. He said after a substantial period of sobriety, he had a relapse, resulting in a prolonged absence from work and 'I took myself out of the clinician domain'. He said he switched to a teaching role in the hospital, saying he was passionate about education. Nevin said the consequences had been devastating. He expressed remorse and said he was attending addiction counselling. The court heard how Moylan, while studying to be a nurse, had cared for her terminally ill mother. Dara Foynes SC, defending, said Moylan acted out of the highest level of compassion and concern for her partner and was trying to manage a situation that was out of control, resulting in self-inflicted harm and a fall from grace. The court heard Moylan has resigned from her job, agreed not to work as a nurse again, while Nevin awaited a decision on the future of his medical career. Their court case was adjourned until Friday.
