U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Tampa Division

STEVEN E. IBISON
SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE

Contact: Special Agent Dave Couvertier ♦ Media Representative ♦ 813/253-1033
5525 West Gray Street Tampa, Florida 33609

For Immediate Release

April 14, 2008

JOINT HEALTHCARE CASE FOCUSES ON PHARMACIES

Tampa , Florida – Today, federal search warrants were executed at local pharmacies in Madeira Beach , Clearwater , and Seminole, Florida .

Representatives of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Attorney General’s Office – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Health and Human Services – OIG, United States Office of Personnel Management – OIG, Drug Enforcement Administration, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, United States Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have teamed up to investigate multi-million dollar healthcare fraud allegations involving local pharmacies.

Investigative matters are related to United States Code Title 18, Section 287 - False or Fraudulent Claims, 371 - Conspiracy to Defraud, 1341 - Mail Fraud, 1343 - Wire Fraud, 1347 - Health Care Fraud, and Title 21, Section 841 - Illegal Manufacturing, Distribution, and Dispensing of a Controlled Substance.

Anyone with information about this matter should contact the FBI Tampa Field Office at 813/253-1000.