Associated Press Published

Charleston Pharmacy Owner Pleads Guilty in Fraud Case

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A Charleston pharmacy owner faces up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to making a false statement in a health care matter.

Paula Butterfield also pleaded guilty on behalf of her business, Trivillian’s Pharmacy, to health care fraud and misbranding drugs.

U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin says the pharmacy faces a fine, up to 10 years of probation and restitution.

Butterfield entered the pleas Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Charleston. She and the pharmacy are scheduled to be sentenced May 28.

Goodwin says Butterfield admitted that the pharmacy dispensed compounded drugs and generic drugs and billed Medicare and Medicaid for brand name drugs, which are more expensive. Butterfield submitted false claims to Medicare on her own behalf.