Federal prosecutors say a major healthcare fraud investigation in New Jersey has uncovered an alleged $20.7 million Medicare and Medicaid scheme involving physicians, pharmacists, and advanced practice nurses accused of accepting illegal kickbacks and issuing medically unnecessary prescriptions.

The latest developments include a Toms River nurse who has pleaded guilty and a Lakehurst nurse who has been indicted, making them among several healthcare professionals charged in the expanding federal investigation.

Toms River Nurse Pleads Guilty

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Nikki Steidle, 53, of Toms River, pleaded guilty on June 30 to multiple federal offenses, including:

• Conspiracy to defraud the United States
• Soliciting and receiving illegal kickbacks
• Offering and paying kickbacks
• Unlawfully distributing controlled substances

Federal prosecutors allege Steidle participated in a scheme that financially benefited pharmacies through medically unnecessary prescriptions billed to Medicare and Medicaid.

Lakehurst Nurse Indicted

A second advanced practice nurse, Ashlee Maixner, 39, of Lakehurst, has been indicted on similar charges.

Maixner was arraigned in federal court in Newark on June 25, where she entered a not guilty plea.

She faces charges that include:

• Conspiracy to defraud the United States
• Soliciting and receiving kickbacks
• Offering and paying kickbacks
• Unlawfully distributing controlled substances
• Two additional counts of receiving illegal kickbacks

The charges remain allegations, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Investigators Allege Illegal Prescription Scheme

Federal investigators say both nurses worked alongside Dr. Boris Veysman, an emergency medicine physician with medical offices in New Jersey.

According to prosecutors, the nurses allegedly received cash kickbacks from Sherif Elmasri, the owner of several pharmacies.

Authorities allege Elmasri paid healthcare providers to write prescriptions for medications he selected because they generated high reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid.

The prescriptions were then filled at his pharmacies, creating millions of dollars in insurance claims while allegedly generating substantial profits for the business.

Controlled Substance Allegations

The investigation goes beyond healthcare fraud.

Federal prosecutors also allege the defendants conspired to prescribe controlled substances without conducting appropriate patient evaluations or legitimate medical assessments.

If proven, investigators say patients may have received medications that were not medically necessary, exposing both individuals and federal healthcare programs to significant harm.

Estimated Losses Exceed $20 Million

According to federal authorities, the alleged conspiracy resulted in approximately $20.7 million in fraudulent losses to Medicare and Medicaid.

Healthcare fraud involving government insurance programs remains a major enforcement priority for the U.S. Department of Justice because fraudulent billing ultimately increases costs for taxpayers while diverting resources from patients who genuinely need care.

Multiple Healthcare Professionals Have Pleaded Guilty

The nurses are not the only healthcare professionals implicated.

Federal prosecutors say several others have already entered guilty pleas, including:

• Dr. Boris Veysman, a physician from Freehold, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and unlawfully distributing controlled substances.
• Sherif Elmasri, a Morganville pharmacist and pharmacy owner, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and violating the Anti-Kickback Statute.
• Stephanie Cupo, who admitted submitting false prior authorization documents using another provider’s DEA registration number.
• Janet Tadros, an office manager, who pleaded guilty after prosecutors alleged she accepted approximately $3,000 per week in cash kickbacks for referring medically unnecessary prescriptions to Elmasri’s pharmacies.

Federal Officials Condemn Healthcare Fraud

U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer said federal prosecutors remain committed to pursuing medical professionals who exploit government healthcare programs for financial gain.

FBI Newark officials described the investigation as an example of healthcare providers placing profit above patient welfare and misusing taxpayer-funded healthcare programs.

Why Kickback Schemes Are Illegal

Federal healthcare laws strictly prohibit providers from accepting payments in exchange for referring patients or writing prescriptions.

The Anti-Kickback Statute exists to ensure medical decisions are based solely on patient need—not financial incentives.

Violations can lead to:

• Criminal prosecution
• Significant prison sentences
• Heavy financial penalties
• Loss of professional licenses
• Exclusion from Medicare and Medicaid participation

Healthcare regulators warn that kickback arrangements may encourage unnecessary testing, prescribing, and treatment while undermining public trust in the medical profession.

A Reminder of Professional Responsibility

The overwhelming majority of nurses practice ethically every day, advocating for patients and maintaining the highest professional standards.

Cases like this are relatively rare, but when they occur they attract national attention because they involve professionals entrusted with prescribing medications and safeguarding patient health.

Federal prosecutors continue to investigate the broader conspiracy, and additional court proceedings are expected in the months ahead.