Long Island Chiropractor Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Health Care Fraud

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Raymond R. Pellegrino, a chiropractor, pleaded guilty to health care fraud.  Today’s plea took place before United States District Judge Joseph F. Bianco.  When sentenced, Pellegrino faces up to 10 years in prison, as well as restitution of $2,110,000, forfeiture of $504,444 and a fine to be determined.

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the guilty plea.

“Pellegrino abused his position of trust as a health care provider by billing millions of dollars in fraudulent claims for services that doctors never provided,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “Today’s guilty plea sends the message that those who engage in such criminal conduct will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”  Mr. Donoghue expressed his grateful appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York State Department of Financial Services for its assistance in the case.

Pellegrino operated chiropractic offices in West Hempstead and Hicksville, New York.  He hired medical doctors for part-time work and then billed Anthem Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield under the taxpayer identification numbers of those doctors for osteopathic manipulation and other services purportedly provided to beneficiaries.  Between December 2013 and September 2014, Pellegrino was paid over $2 million for fraudulent claims filed with Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, billing for medical services that he knew the doctors had not provided.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Charles P. Kelly and Madeline O’Connor are in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

RAYMOND R. PELLEGRINO
Age:  50
McKinney, Texas

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-496 (JFB)