St. Louis, MO - RICHARD GOLDMAN, of Chesterfield, Missouri, was indicted on charges of health care fraud and aggravated identity theft. According to the indictment, Goldman devised and executed a fraud scheme by both dispensing pain medicine without a doctor’s prescription for his own use or by diverting pain medicine prescribed for patients over the last three years. Goldman worked as a nurse at the John Cochran Medical Center in St. Louis, which is a facility of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
Goldman was indicted by a federal grand jury late Wednesday on one felony count of health care fraud and two felony counts of aggravated identity theft for using patients’ names and information without authority in furtherance of the fraud.
The health care fraud charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years and a fine of $250,000 or both. The aggravated identity theft charges are punishable by two years, which must be imposed consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed for the health care fraud. Also, restitution to the veterans’ health care plan is mandatory. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
The case was investigated by the VA Police and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Tom Albus is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
