A Dearborn Heights pharmacist was handed a two-year federal prison sentence for her involvement in a scheme falsely billing Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, confirmed United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. Zeinab Makki, 61, had entered claims for medications not actually bought by her pharmacies, costing the healthcare insurers a hefty sum of $6.9 million, evidence in court records showed.
The sentencing follows a thorough investigation by agents from both the FBI and the HHS, whose collaborative efforts painted a clear picture of the fraudulent activities occurring between 2001 and 2021 at New Millennium Drugs and Western Wayne Pharmacy. Makki, serving as the pharmacist-in-charge, admitted her role in this dishonest pursuit of profit. "Fraud by health care professionals will be aggressively pursued by our office," said U.S. Attorney Ison, elaborating on the intention to prevent such deceptive acts in the healthcare industry, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
United States District Judge Nancy G. Edmunds has not only assigned prison time but also mandated Makki to repay the full sum she wrongfully claimed from the government programs and health insurers. The sentence underlines a show of force in combatting healthcare fraud, with the involved authorities holding Makki accountable for both her actions and the financial restitution, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Division, Cheyvoryea Gibson expressed dedication to the pursuit of justice against medical professionals compromising government healthcare programs.
The resolution of the case sends a resounding message to healthcare professionals entangled in or contemplating fraudulent acts. Mario M. Pinto, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Region of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, mentioned the agencies' unwavering commitment to investigating and bringing to justice those attempting to defraud federal health care programs, signaling enduring vigilance over the stewardship of public funds earmarked for genuine patient care. "False medical claims divert much needed funding away from patients in need of life-saving services and Ms. Makki will serve her sentence for orchestrating and participating in this scheme," Gibson told the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, giving credit to the investigative partnerships that guided the case to its conclusive end.
The prosecution and related asset forfeiture were pursued by Assistant United States Attorney Philip A. Ross and Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Nathan, working with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General to secure justice in this impactful case of healthcare fraud.
