Jersey City Woman Admits Accepting Bribes For Patient Referrals

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A Jersey City woman who worked for the county Tuesday admitted she accepted bribes for referring patients in need of home health aides to a specific company, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Myrtha Nicolas, 61, of Jersey City, pleaded guilty to extortion under color of official right in Newark federal court, Carpenito said.

Nicolas worked as a referral coordinator at the Hudson County Office on Aging. She assigned disabled patients to home health care companies that provide aides to such people.

Nicolas was approached by a confidential witness, an executive of a home health care company in June 2016, authorities said, and she agreed to accept $500 per patients she referred to the company.

Nicolas accepted a $600 payment on Aug. 4, 2016 for referring a patient, Carpenito said. The witness complained that the patient was difficult and had to be directed to another company, he said, and Nicolas assured the witness that they would "get the easy ones," in the future.

Nicolas accepted another $600 payment for another referral in January 2017 and a $1,000 payment for another referral in October 2017, Carpenito said.

The charge of extortion carries a maximum potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 15.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com