A Harlem pharmacist nabbed in an under-the-counter prescription drug sting was indicted yesterday for allegedly stealing more than $1.8 million in Medicaid funds.
Patrick Alcindor, 41, was charged with four counts of grand larceny and seven counts of criminal diversion of prescription drugs, Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr. said.
The Post reported on Alcindor after he was first arrested in March. He was allegedly caught repeatedly paying an undercover cop sums of cash in exchange for pricey written prescriptions for HIV treatment drugs that include Reyatz, Truvada, Prezista and Procrit.
But Alcindor never dispensed the drugs to the undercover and pocketed the lavish Medicaid payments, prosecutors charge. The drugstore he supervised, Procare Pharmacy at 1728 Amsterdam Ave. in Washington Heights, also billed Medicaid for bogus refills.
According to documents filed in court, Alcindor and the pharmacy stole $1.8 million from Medicaid between April 2009 and March 2010, the indictment said.
“The defendant tried to game the system by fraudulently billing Medicaid for claims for prescription drugs that he never dispensed, and then helping himself to payments,” DA Vance said. “Medicaid is intended for the neediest New Yorkers who cannot afford to pay for medical care, not for thieves.”
Investigators from the city Human Resources Administration and state Office of Medicaid Inspector General also took part in the probe.
Alcindor pleaded not guilty and intends to vigorously contest the charges, said his lawyer, Steve Kartagener.