Franklin pharmacist, wife sentenced in theft and health care fraud case
FRANKLIN, Ky. – A Franklin pharmacist and his wife have been sentenced for multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
Both Joseph Huff, 46, and Jenifer Huff, 46, were sentenced last week for engaging in a conspiracy to commit theft of medical products, conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to commit health care fraud and health care fraud, among other charges, according to court documents.
Court documents state Joseph Huff has been sentenced to three years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for one count of conspiracy to commit theft of medical products, one count of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances, twelve counts of health care fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of making a false statement.
His wife, Jenifer Huff, was sentenced to two years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for one count of conspiracy to commit theft of medical products, one count of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances and two counts of health care fraud.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of Kentucky, from May 2, 2020 to January 17, 2023, both individuals “conspired to divert oxycodone and hydrocodone from the pharmacy…with Jenifer Huff selling or trading the controlled substances for cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.”
Officials say the couple also “fraudulently billed Kentucky Medicaid for prescriptions that were not ordered by a physician or nurse practitioner.”
In addition, officials say Joseph Huff fraudulently billed multiple insurance companies for brand name Adderall when generic Adderall was issued to patients and fraudulently billed an insurance company for medication never dispensed to the patient.
He also falsely reported a pharmacy robbery to the DEA when no drugs were stolen, officials say.
Finally, officials say Joseph Huff used another medical professional’s name and National Provider Identifier, a unique 10-digit number used to identify health care providers, to issue prescriptions without the medical professional’s knowledge or consent.
According to officials, Joseph Huff was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $17,518.19, while Jenifer Huff was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5,730.43.
This case was investigated by the Bowling Green/Warren County Drug Task Force, the Kentucky State Police, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and the DEA with the assistance of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Office of Inspector General.
