FBI makes eight arrests in $633M pharmacy scheme

The FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice charged eight Florida residents in a $633 million fraud scheme involving pharmacies in the Tampa Bay and Miami areas, the agencies announced.

The eight individuals, from New Port Richey, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Parkland were charged in a 12-count indictment unsealed earlier this month.

The eight defendants are accused of using compounding pharmacies in New Port Richey and Miami to obtain roughly $157 million in reimbursements from October 2012 through December 2015, according to the indictment. The individuals are charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud. Five of the eight co-conspirators also were accused of a trio of money laundering charges.