NJ Firefighter Convicted Of $1M Healthcare Fraud Conspiracy: Feds

ATLANTIC COUNTY, NJ - A Margate firefighter was convicted Thursday of an indictment charging him with defrauding public health insurance plans out of around $1 million, federal officials said.

Thomas Sher, 50, of Northfield, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and three counts of health care fraud following a 12-day trial in Camden federal court, Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna announced.

Sher had a role in a criminal conspiracy in which state and local government workers were recruited and paid to get medically unnecessary prescription medications, federal officials said.

As a result, Sher caused the pharmacy benefits administrator to pay out nearly $1 million for medically unnecessary prescriptions for individuals they recruited into the scheme, officials said.

Sher directly received around $115,000, officials added.

Sher was indicted in March 2019 on charges that he defrauded New Jersey health benefits programs and other insurers. Around 40 people have since been convicted or pleaded guilty in connection with the conspiracy, officials said.

Sher faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan.10, 2023.