Guilty plea in $155M LI drug fraud ring
Harry Abolafia, 65, of Texas, pleaded guilty Tuesday by admitting he prepared paperwork to make it appear that black market prescription drugs sold to Allion Healthcare Inc. in Melville came from legitimate sources, the N.Y. State attorney general's office said. (April 16, 2013) Credit: NYSAG
A pharmacist pleaded guilty Tuesday for his role in an alleged Long Island black market drug ring that defrauded Medicaid of more than $155 million, State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman said.
Harry Abolafia, 65, of San Antonio, Texas, admitted he prepared paperwork to make it appear that black market prescription drugs sold to Allion Healthcare Inc. in Melville came from legitimate sources, Schneiderman's office said.
Abolafia pleaded guilty in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead to felony conspiracy and his company pleaded guilty to felony money laundering. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, five years probation and will repay $375,000 to the state.
The drugs mainly went to HIV/AIDS patients via MOMS Pharmacy, which was acquired last year by the nonprofit AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Abolafia was arrested last year with three other defendants whose cases are still pending.
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Get ready for sun and fun with NewsdayTV's summer FunBook special! From celebrating America's 250th birthday to a new ride at Adventureland, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your inside look at Newsday's summer FunBook.
