FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Case # 18CF3322, 18CF3323
December 5, 2018
DOCTOR AND PATIENT CHARGED WITH INSURANCE FRAUD FOR BILLING OVER $850,000 IN PRESCRIPTION FRAUD SCHEME
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A doctor and patient were charged with insurance fraud for billing over $850,000 to an insurance provider for medically unnecessary prescriptions.
|
Defendant |
Charges |
Maximum Sentence |
Court Date |
|
Dr. David Todd Asher, 50, Fullerton |
Charged on Nov. 29, 2018, with the following felony counts:
Sentencing Enhancement Allegations
|
13 years and eight months in state prison |
To be determined |
|
Sabina Maciel Acevedo, 48, Anaheim |
Sentencing Enhancement Allegations
|
Eight years and eight months in state prison |
Pre-trial hearing Jan. 23, 2018, 8:30 a.m. Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana |
Circumstances of the Case
- Between May 2014 and September 2014, Acevedo is accused of completing four compound cream prescription forms for herself and three immediate family members without receiving medical examinations.
- Dr. Asher is accused of signing all of the forms without examining any of the family members or customizing each prescription.
- The completed prescription forms were sent to San Dimas Pharmacy in Bakersfield to be fulfilled, and the pharmacy billed $855,210 to Acevedo’s prescription insurance, Express Scripts, which is provided through the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD).
- Acevedo is accused of receiving $19,504.57 in kickbacks for fulfilling these prescriptions through San Dimas Pharmacy.
- Express Scripts and SAUSD noticed the unusual charges and contacted the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Investigation, who investigated this case.
Prosecutor: Deputy District Attorney Hope Callahan, Insurance Fraud Unit