North Texas Pharmacist Sentenced to Prison for Scheme to Defraud Government
A North Texas pharmacist was sentenced to prison for a scheme to defraud the federal government out of millions of dollars for skin creams. Dehshid “David” Nourian was sentenced last month to 17 1/2 years in prison for health care fraud, money laundering and defrauding the U.S. government.
The court also ordered Nourian, 62, to pay $115 million in restitution and forfeit more than $400 million in assets. Nourian, of Plano, has appealed the ruling, court documents show. An attorney for the pharmacist declined to comment Tuesday.
The Scheme
Federal prosecutors say Nourian and partners paid doctors millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks to prescribe expensive and unnecessary compounded creams for pain and scars from 2014 to 2017. Doctors referred the prescriptions to a handful of pharmacies operated by Nourian and his partners, including Ability Pharmacy in Fort Worth and Park Row Pharmacy in Arlington.
Compounding pharmacies tailor certain drugs to individual patients, usually in small batches, by altering dosages, mixing medications or converting pills into liquids. Such pharmacies once catered to individual patients, but they grew unchecked into lucrative drug distribution operations, selling products in bulk across the nation and internationally.
Government Crackdown
Following an explosion of expensive claims involving compound medications, the Defense Department in 2015 began limiting such drugs for military service members and their families. Around the same time, the Justice Department started cracking down on what it called widespread fraud involving specialty pharmacies.
In Nourian’s case, patients included injured postal workers and other government employees, some of whom were already taking strong painkillers. In the back rooms of compounding pharmacies, untrained teenagers mixed the creams for about $15 per prescription.
Billions in Fraudulent Claims
The pharmacies then billed the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs and Blue Cross Blue Shield for as much as $16,000 per prescription, totaling roughly $145 million in fraudulent claims. Patients who received the creams said at the trial the creams were ineffective and, in some instances, resulted in painful, irritating skin rashes.
Prosecutors say Nourian and others laundered the money through a complex web of bank accounts and shell companies to avoid paying $24 million in federal income taxes.
Convictions and Sentencing
“This 17-year sentence sends a clear message that our prosecutors, working shoulder-to-shoulder with our investigative partners, will identify, investigate, and prosecute even the most sophisticated fraud schemes that target taxpayer money and endanger patients,” Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, said in a written statement.
Pharmacist Christopher Rydberg of Fort Worth, and Dr. Michael Taba, of McKinney, were also convicted in the scheme and await sentencing.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Dehshid “David” Nourian serves as a warning to those who would engage in fraudulent activities, particularly in the healthcare industry. The scheme, which involved millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks, resulted in the defrauding of the federal government and put patients at risk.
It is essential for individuals to be aware of the consequences of such actions and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. The government will continue to crack down on healthcare fraud, and those found guilty will face severe penalties.
FAQs
Q: What was Dehshid “David” Nourian sentenced for?
A: Nourian was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison for health care fraud, money laundering, and defrauding the U.S. government.
Q: How much did Nourian have to pay in restitution?
A: Nourian was ordered to pay $115 million in restitution.
Q: What was the total amount of fraudulent claims made by the pharmacies?
A: The pharmacies made roughly $145 million in fraudulent claims.
Q: Who else was convicted in the scheme?
A: Pharmacist Christopher Rydberg and Dr. Michael Taba were also convicted in the scheme and await sentencing.
