N.J. Man Pleads Guilty to Medicaid Fraud and Receiving Stolen Property

New Jersey Attorney General Peter Harvey announced that an Essex County man has pleaded guilty to Medicaid Fraud and receiving stolen property in connection with using stolen Medicaid cards to obtain narcotic drugs at the expense of the Medicaid Program.

According to Vaughn McKoy, Director, Division of Criminal Justice and Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Douglas Tyer, 47, of Essex County, pleaded guilty before Union County Superior Court Judge James Heimlich to charges contained in two separate criminal Accusations filed by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor.

One Accusation charged Tyer with Medicaid Fraud and the other charged receiving stolen property – both third degree offenses. When sentenced on Jan. 30, 2004, Tyer faces up to six years in state prison and a fine of up to $20,000.

At the Dec. 10 guilty plea hearing, Tyer reportedly admitted that he obtained stolen Medicaid recipient cards which entitle the bearer to medical benefits, including prescription drugs, paid for by the Medicaid Program. Tyler also admitted that he obtained stolen written prescriptions, purportedly issued by doctors for various narcotic medicines, in order to obtain narcotic drugs for personal use.