NEWARK, N.J. — A New Jersey pharmacy owner pleaded guilty to health care fraud in a scheme that defrauded Medicare of at least $2.5 million, Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba announced.
Nestor E. Jaime, 37, of Pine Brook in the Montville Township section of Morris County, pleaded guilty Nov. 19, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court to one count of health care fraud.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Jaime operated a pharmacy in Paterson and, between December 2019 and December 2021, submitted hundreds of fraudulent claims to Medicare for the antibiotic Dificid. Each prescription carried a reimbursement of more than $4,000. Prosecutors said the pharmacy never purchased or dispensed the medication.
Investigators said Jaime filed the false claims using the identities of dozens of Medicare beneficiaries who had never been prescribed Dificid. He also used the unique provider numbers of health care professionals to make the claims appear legitimate. Medicare paid out roughly $2.5 million on the false submissions, money prosecutors said Jaime spent on luxury vehicles and personal expenses.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross financial gain or loss resulting from the offense.
Habba credited special agents of the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, led by Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz, and the FBI, led by Acting Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, for their roles in the investigation.
