On behalf of the entire Allegiant Experts team, we hope you had a wonderful Christmas holiday! The holiday season is a time when we all deserve to be filled with joy and laughter. Although these are trying times, we certainly hope you had the opportunity to be with loved ones over the past few days. Here’s to making many new fond memories as we approach the New Year!
Speaking of 2024, it starts in just a few short days. Allow us to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy, safe and prosperous new year. Of course, we also hope that it brings you good health. As clinical experts, we regularly discuss our healthcare system. It is never lost on us that nothing is more important than your health. May 2024 be a year of optimum well-being for you and your loved ones.
Miami man sentenced in $16.7 million HIV drug case.
With the last Allegiant Experts blog for 2023, we take a look at yet another healthcare fraud story from our home state. This time around, a Miami-based man has found himself behind bars for the next four-plus years. As reported by the Office of Public Affairs, 43 year-old Armando Herrera was sentenced to four years and three months in prison last week.
On September 25th of this year, Herrera pleaded guilty to his role in a nationwide scheme. He admitted to illegally distributing at least $16.7 million of adulterated HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) drugs. The medications were dispensed to unsuspecting patients throughout the United States.
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. The condition makes it difficult for your body to fight off illness. There are cells in your blood known as “CD4 cells” or “T cells.” These cells help to protect your body from disease. HIV destroys these cells.
Herrera worked with a team of fraudsters.
As the report details, court documents revealed that Herrera had a team of co-conspirators. Together, they established companies in the states of Florida, Texas, Washington and California. The businesses were used to sell and distribute adulterated prescription drugs to wholesale pharmaceutical suppliers. The medications were primarily HIV medications.
To unfold their scheme, Herrera and his co-conspirators created false documentation. They made it appear as if the drugs were acquired legitimately when, in fact, they were not. “The pharmaceutical suppliers then sold the drugs to pharmacies, which dispensed the adulterated prescription drugs to unwitting patients,” the report details.
Over $1.5 million worth of drugs were seized.
The Office of Public Affairs reports that, as part of the investigation, federal agents seized more than $1.5 million worth of adulterated prescription drugs from Herrera. They included more than 16,000 tablets of adulterated and misbranded HIV medication.
Are you an attorney who is currently working a healthcare fraud case?
The clinical experts at Allegiant Experts can help you! We coordinate and support courageous whistleblowers that shine lights on fraud, waste and abuse. Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 407-217-5831. You may also email us at info@allegiantexperts.com. Happy New Year!
Comments