May 27, 11

NEWS / North Jersey Woman Charged With Fraudulently Obtaining Prescription Drugs

TRENTON - Attorney General Paula T. Dow and Division of Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor announced that a North Jersey woman has been charged in a state grand jury indictment for allegedly obtaining Oxycontin and Oxycodone through fraudulent means.

According to Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Ronald Chillemi, Jessica Fabiano, 35, whose last known address was in Lafayette, was charged yesterday with one count of third-degree insurance fraud, two counts of third-degree theft by deception, fourteen counts of third-degree obtaining a controlled dangerous substance by fraud, and three counts of fourth-degree falsifying or tampering with records.

The state grand jury indictment alleges that between Feb. 7 and Nov. 20, 2008, Fabiano fraudulently obtained Oxycontin and Oxycodone worth a total of $5,363.84. The indictment alleges that Fabiano fraudulently represented to Connecticut General Life Insurance Company that she was entitled to the controlled dangerous substances, when she was, in fact, not entitled to them.

The indictment further alleges that Fabiano submitted several prescriptions that contained false or misleading information or were obtained under false pretenses, in order to deceive Connecticut General that she was entitled to the CDS. Connecticut General Life Insurance Company was acting as the third party administrator for CNO Services, LLC.

Detective Thomas Ference, Civil Investigator Gina Lemanowicz and Deputy Attorney General Cheryl A. Maccaroni were assigned to the investigation. Maccaroni presented the case to the state grand jury. Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Chillemi thanked Connecticut General Life Insurance Company for their assistance in the investigation. Connecticut General Life Insurance Company referred the matter to the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor.

The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Third-degree crimes carry a maximum punishment of five years in state prison and a criminal fine of $15,000, while fourth-degree crimes carry a maximum punishment of 18 months in state prison and a criminal fine of $10,000. In addition, Fabiano may face the civil insurance fraud fines.

http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases11/pr20110527a.html