N.J. pharmacist pleads guilty to insurance fraud

A Burlington County pharmacist pleaded guilty to insurance fraud today in a case that involved more than 500 bogus prescriptions.

As a condition of the plea, William Schobert must repay more than $80,000 to the Medco Health Solutions Inc. for the funds he illegally received while working as a pharmacist at Nugent's Apothecary in Medford.

Schobert, of Lumberton, created more than 500 false prescriptions in his name and the names of his family members between March 2002 and March 2004, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office.

Schobert filed reimbursement requests with the insurance company for the fake prescriptions and pocketed the funds he received, which totaled $80,255.92. An audit eventually uncovered the fraud.

The owner of the pharmacy said none of the prescription drugs were missing.

Schobert will no longer be allowed to work as a pharmacist; the plea calls for a period of incarceration that will be determined when he is sentenced in August.