Swedesboro woman admits role in prescription-drug scam
CAMDEN – A South Jersey health care worker has pleaded guilty to her role in a costly prescription-drug scam.
Ashley Lyons-Valenti, 66, of Swedesboro allegedly received more than $90,000 in kickbacks for signing medically unnecessary prescriptions, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Jersey.
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Health insurers paid more than $1.2 million as a result of the scheme, the federal prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
Compounded-medication scam
The prescriptions were approved for friends, co-workers and family members, including Lyons-Valenti’s children, the statement said.
Lyons-Valenti authorized unneeded prescriptions for the costly drugs, known as compounded medications, while working as an advanced practice nurse in Pennsville, Salem County, the statement said.
It alleged they were authorized “for the sole purpose of financially benefitting” Lyons-Valenti and accomplices in the scam.
Attempt to obstruct justice
Lyons-Valenti, charged in a 33-count indictment in June 2020, admitted guilt to one count of conspiring to commit health care fraud.
As part of her plea agreement, Lyons-Valenti on Tuesday said she tried to obstruct the administration of justice by attempting to influence the testimony of a grand jury witness, the statement said.
U.S. District Judge Robert Kugler set sentencing for July 11 in Camden federal court.
Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Feds: Swedesboro woman pocketed kickbacks for authorizing prescriptions
