Six New Jersey defendants, including a pharmacy owner, an emergency medicine physician and several advanced practice nurses, have been charged in connection with a scheme that caused more than $20 million in losses to Medicare and Medicaid through illegal kickbacks and medically unnecessary prescriptions, the Justice Department said in a July 9 news release.
Pharmacy owner Sherif Elmasri allegedly paid cash kickbacks to healthcare providers in exchange for issuing high-reimbursement prescriptions he selected, from October 2022 through November 2025. Among those allegedly receiving kickbacks was Boris Veysman, MD, an emergency medicine physician who at times issued prescriptions without examining patients.
Two advanced practice nurses who worked for Dr. Veysman, Nikki Steidle and Ashlee Maixner, are also alleged to have received kickbacks. A fourth provider, Stephanie Cupo, allegedly submitted prior authorizations with false information to increase approval rates.
In a separate but related scheme, Janet Tadros, an office manager at a Jersey City neurology practice, allegedly solicited and received approximately $3,000 per week in cash kickbacks in exchange for sending Mr. Elmasri’s pharmacies prescriptions for patients who were never evaluated and without their providers’ knowledge.
Five defendants have pleaded guilty. Mr. Maixner pleaded not guilty and all charges against her are allegations only.
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