A New York man has admitted to participating in a scheme that defrauded Medicare and Medicaid by submitting falsified prescriptions. U.S. Attorney Alina Habba made the announcement regarding Thomas Conzo, 49, of Staten Island, who pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court.
Conzo owned Elite Pharmacy, a specialty pharmacy in Linden, New Jersey. From August 2022 through March 2023, he submitted fraudulent claims worth hundreds of thousands of dollars for prescriptions to health care benefit programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. He used the credentials of pharmacists who did not work at Elite Pharmacy or authorize those prescriptions.
The charge of health care fraud carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 or twice the gross profit or loss caused by the offense. Sentencing is set for December 4, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents from several agencies for their roles in the investigation: the U.S. Postal Inspection Service under Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen; Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation under Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan; and Federal Bureau of Investigation under Acting Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy.
Assistant U.S. Attorney George Brandley represents the government in this case.
