Delmer Holmes Parrish, 44, a licensed pharmacist, and Patricia Parrish, 74, both of Naples, Florida, today pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
According to the plea agreement, from in or around February 2009 through in or about July 2012, the two participated in a conspiracy to defraud federal health care benefit programs out of approximately $351,358.14. Along with others, both used Sunshine Pharmacy and Sunshine Solutions to submit and cause claims to be submitted for reimbursement from Medicaid, Medicare, and TRICARE programs for prescriptions not filled or provided to beneficiaries and recipients. The claims included prescriptions for patients that had not been written or authorized by any duly licensed physician. In addition, the co-conspirators submitted and caused claims to be submitted for reimbursement from these same programs for beneficiaries and recipients who were deceased.
In carrying out the offense, the conspirators also used the means of identification of individuals who were enrolled in the Medicaid, Medicare, or TRICARE programs, without their knowledge or consent.
A sentencing date has not yet been set, but as part of the plea agreement, Delmer Holmes Parrish agreed to relinquish his license as a pharmacist.
SOURCE: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida