Bergen Insurance Broker Admits Health Care Fraud

FORT LEE, NJ — An insurance broker with a borough office Friday admitted defrauding Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, authorities said.

Lawrence Ackerman, 54, of Old Tappan, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Anne Thompson in Trenton federal court to health care fraud, said U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Ackerman was the CEO of Atlantic Business Associates and Atlantic Medical Associates, which are two "shell" companies. He marketed health insurance nationally to people through these companies to people who did not work for him and were not eligible for health coverage, Carpenito said.

In January 2011 he provided $481,500 in health care benefits to ineligible people, Carpenito said.

Ackerman was originally charged in a two-count indictment with conspiracy to defraud Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of $5.6 million and a local union of $1 million in fraudulent health care claims.

Ackerman must make full restitution to Horizon and the union's benefit plan.

Ackerman faces a maximum penalty of 10 years prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced March 20.

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