GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The former chief pharmacist at Kentwood Pharmacy has been sentenced for his role in a scheme involving illegally recycled drugs.
A federal judge sentenced Lawrence Harden to six years in prison and a $5,000 fine on Thursday. Sentencing guidelines called for 10 years in prison, but Judge Robert J. Jonker decided on a lesser sentence, arguing that the guidelines did not appropriately account for the amount of financial loss.
He will be allowed to self-report to the facility where he’ll serve his prison time. The U.S. Marshals Service will provide him with information about reporting.
Harden is among 17 pharmacy employees and officials — from packagers to pharmacists to the CEO —indicted in the pill-recycling case. The indictments followed a November 2010 raid of the company’s headquarters and other offices. Federal investigators say Kentwood Pharmacy CEO Kim Mulder conspired with Harden and former director of sales Richard Clarke to return, restock and re-dispense drugs that had been previously provided to nursing homes and adult foster care homes. At one point, investigators say the repackaging took place in Harden’s basement.
In doing so, the feds alleged, Kentwood Pharmacy defrauded Medicare, Medicaid and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for up to $60 million.
No comments:
Post a Comment