Queens Pharmacy Owner Arrested for Alleged $31 Million Medicaid Fraud Scheme

The proprietor of two pharmacies in Queens has been detained on allegations of defrauding Medicaid out of $31 million in a scheme that involved HIV medications. Miguel Baron is accused of operating this fraudulent scheme from Guardiola Pharmacy and Baron Specialty Pharmacy located in Jackson Heights, according to the New York Attorney General’s office.

Baron is said to have either persuaded customers to sell back their medications or provided them with cheaper drugs acquired through illegal means. The state claims that Baron utilized the illegally obtained funds to finance construction projects, purchase luxury vehicles, and acquire real estate in Miami. He faces a total of 24 charges, including grand larceny, healthcare fraud, and money laundering, with an indictment recently unsealed. Additionally, the attorney general is seeking over $95 million in damages through a civil asset forfeiture case.