A Prime Example of What Not to Do

Igor Fleyshmakher, co-owner of Prime Aid Pharmacy in New York and New Jersey, pleaded guilty to tax evasion and violation of the federal anti-kickback statute in a scheme that included bribing doctors and their staff to direct prescriptions to his pharmacies. Bribes included designer bags, expensive meals, and payments by cash, check and wire transfers.

Between 2012 and 2014 Fleyshmakher diverted 33.9 million dollars into a bank account concealed from pharmacy tax preparers and did not report the funds on his personal tax return. This resulted in a 5.8-million-dollar tax loss to the IRS.

“Bribing doctors to line your own pockets and using secret accounts to evade taxes are both very serious offenses, motivated by one thing: greed,” said John Tafur, Special Agent in Charge.

The conspiracy and tax evasion charges each carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.