Zeinab Makki, a 61-year-old licensed pharmacist from Dearborn Heights, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for orchestrating a scheme to defraud Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan confirmed the sentence, which also includes an order to pay $6.9 million in restitution and forfeit an additional $6.9 million.
Makki, who served as the pharmacist in charge at New Millennium Drugs and Western Wayne Pharmacy from 2001 to 2021, was found guilty of submitting fraudulent claims for pharmaceuticals that were never purchased. These false claims diverted much-needed funding away from legitimate medical services and resulted in significant financial losses to the federal health care programs.
Court records reveal that Makki faced a potential sentence of up to 10 years for the health care fraud charge and an additional 20 years for money laundering charges. The 2-year prison sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Nancy G. Edmunds, with restitution intended to compensate for the fraudulent funds obtained through her actions.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute healthcare fraud. Mario M. Pinto, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, emphasized the agency’s commitment to holding those responsible for defrauding federal health care programs accountable.
Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan, also stressed that the bureau remains dedicated to pursuing justice against medical professionals who exploit government healthcare programs for financial gain.
This case serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of healthcare fraud, particularly when it undermines critical programs designed to support the nation’s most vulnerable populations.
