A pharmacy owner from Pine Brook, New Jersey, has admitted to committing health care fraud by submitting false claims to Medicare for a medication that was neither purchased nor dispensed. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba.
Nestor E. Jaime, 37, entered his guilty plea on November 19, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court. He pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1347.
According to court documents and statements made during the proceedings, Jaime operated a pharmacy in Paterson between December 2019 and December 2021. During this period, he submitted hundreds of fraudulent claims to Medicare for the drug Dificid—each prescription reimbursed at over $4,000—even though the pharmacy never bought or provided the medication. These claims were filed on behalf of dozens of Medicare beneficiaries who did not receive prescriptions for Dificid. To make the claims appear legitimate, Jaime included unique provider numbers belonging to health care providers who had not prescribed the medication.
As a result of this scheme, Medicare paid out at least $2.5 million in reimbursements for these false claims. Jaime reportedly used these funds on luxury vehicles and other personal expenses.
The offense carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine that could reach $250,000 or twice the amount gained or lost due to the crime.
Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Habba recognized special agents from the Health and Human Services Agency Office of Inspector General—led by Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz—and agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Acting Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark for their work on this investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica R. Ecker and Kruti Dharia from the Health Care Fraud and Opioids Enforcement Unit are prosecuting the case.
Jaime is represented by defense counsel Anthony Iacullo.
