Toms River, Jackson Men Among Seven Charged in Health Care Scheme

Two men from Toms River and one from Jackson are among seven charged for their alleged roles in a $93 million dollar health care fraud scheme.

Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig announced charges Thursday charges against Thomas Farese, 78, of Delray Beach, Florida, Pat Truglia, 53, of Parkland, Florida, Domenic J. Gatto Jr. 46, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and Nicholas Defonte, 72 and Christopher Cirri, 63, both of Toms River, who were all issued a complaint on conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

Brian Herbstman, 46, of Jackson plead guilty to an information charging him with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute and Sean Hogan, 48, of Old Bridge, plead guilty to an information charging him with conspiracy to engage in money laundering.

Sentencing for Herbstman and Hogan is scheduled for August 31, 2021.

Get our free mobile app

Attorney Honig said that each defendant had a role in this scheme as they offered, paid, solicited and received kickbacks and bribes while in return getting completed doctors orders for durable medical equipment, including orthotic braces and in one case patient referrals for genetic cancer screening tests.

The men involved in the scheme are accused of causing losses to Medicare, TRICARE, and CHAMPVA of nearly $93 million.

Those charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud face a maximum 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross profit or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greater.

Those charge with conspiracy to violate the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and conspiracy to commit health care fraud face a maximum five years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross profit or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greater.

Those charged with conspiracy to transact in criminal proceeds face a maximum 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross profit or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greater.