James Craig Bell, 63, owned Townsend’s Pharmacy in Red Springs, N.C. According to the Justice Department, beginning as early as 2006, Mr. Bell billed Medicare, Medicaid and private health plans for prescriptions never dispensed by his pharmacy.
According to the Justice Department, Mr. Bell trained employees to bill health care plans for drugs that were not dispensed.
Mr. Bell’s employee, Melisha West, 51, also pled guilty to healthcare fraud in January for her role in the scheme. Ms. West independently ran the pharmacy while Mr. Bell continued to profit from the fraudulent billing.
Mr. Bell faces up to 10 years in prison, the Justice Department said. His sentencing is scheduled for early next year.
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