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April 17, 2006

Man admits to OxyContin scheme

PROVIDENCE -- A former Rhode Island man has admitted to forging prescriptions to obtain almost $9,000 of the powerful painkiller OxyContin from several Rhode Island pharmacies.

James Barsoum, 32, of Oakland, N.J., pleaded guilty today to health-care fraud and acquiring a controlled substance through forgery in U.S. District Court, according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Barsoum admitted forging prescriptions in the names of friends and relatives and then having the prescriptions filled at Rhode Island pharmacies. He obtained prescriptions from his doctor and then altered and copied them to get the drugs.

Using the insurance information of the people whose names he used, Barsoum had Blue Cross Blue Shield billed for payment. He admitted causing $8,940 in fraudulent claims against the insurance company.

Barsoum faces up to 14 years in prison and $500,000 in fines. He is free on unsecured bond pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 3:03 PM | Permalink

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