Paul M. Hughes, a former resident of Omaha, Nebraska, has been sentenced in federal court for obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and making a false statement to the government. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Hughes to 48 months’ imprisonment for the drug charge and 54 months for the false statement, with both sentences running concurrently. Following his prison term, Hughes will serve three years of supervised release.
Between March 2020 and May 2021, Hughes used personal information and fictitious entities “The Hughes and Company Foundation USA Coalition Company” and “The Hughes and Company Foundation USA Coalition- Virtual Infirmary” to submit fraudulent information to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to obtain National Provider Identification (NPI) numbers.
On March 21, 2020, he submitted an electronic NPI Application containing false information that led CMS to issue him an NPI number temporarily. Using this number, Hughes submitted fake prescriptions to various pharmacies.
In March 2021, he electronically submitted a fraudulent prescription using a real doctor’s name as the prescriber at a local pharmacy requesting at least one Schedule III Controlled Substance. During questioning by law enforcement, Hughes admitted to submitting the fraudulent prescription.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Wade Moon from the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations commented on the case: “Fraudulently obtaining and prescribing prescription medications under false pretenses shows a reckless disregard for public health and safety.”
Linda T. Hanley from HHS-OIG added: “When individuals pretend to be legitimate health care providers to commit fraud, they undermine the public’s trust in our medical system.”
Rafael Mattei from DEA Omaha Division remarked: “Today’s sentencing is the result of multiple state, local and federal components working together… This investigation shows that no matter the length of time necessary, justice will be served for those who inflict harm in our communities.”
The investigation involved several agencies including HHS-OIG, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, DEA, U.S. Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and Nebraska State Patrol.
