A Maryland man is scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday after admitting to orchestrating a fraud scheme involving the impersonation of doctors to illegally obtain narcotics. Benjamin Washington, 25, pleaded guilty in September to multiple federal charges in Los Angeles.
Fraud Scheme Details
Washington admitted to conspiring with others to create fraudulent e-prescribing accounts using stolen doctor’s information. Accomplices obtained drivers’ licenses in the names of the doctors and, according to his plea deal, paid corrupt telephone company employees for access to physicians’ phone numbers.
The group then used this information to submit at least 5,600 fraudulent prescriptions for narcotics. Court papers reveal that one member of the scheme even consulted with a pharmacy technician to understand the intricacies of electronic prescriptions, aiming to avoid detection.
Nationwide Impact
The suspects traveled to pharmacies across the United States, including locations in Los Angeles and Orange counties, to fill the illegally obtained prescriptions. These drugs were then resold for “significant” profits, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Washington pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
What’s Next?
Washington could face up to 42 years in federal prison. Prosecutors have noted that a mandatory two-year consecutive prison term is required for the aggravated identity theft conviction. The judge’s sentencing decision will likely consider the scale of the fraud and the potential harm caused by the distribution of illegal narcotics. A possible next step is a detailed investigation into the accomplices involved in the scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges did Benjamin Washington plead guilty to?
Benjamin Washington pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
How did the suspects gain access to doctors’ information?
The suspects obtained doctors’ personal information and, according to the plea deal, paid corrupt telephone company employees for access to physicians’ phone numbers. They also acquired drivers’ licenses in the doctors’ names.
Where were the fraudulent prescriptions filled?
The suspects traveled to drugstores across the United States, including pharmacies within Los Angeles and Orange counties, to pick up the illegally prescribed drugs.
How might increased security measures impact similar schemes in the future?
Worth a look