Pharmacist is Subject of Health Fraud Probe

By Dan Herbeck, The Buffalo News, N.Y.

Mar. 17–Federal agents are investigating possible health fraud allegations involving a wellknown Niagara County pharmacist, but the pharmacist contends that the probe will turn up no evidence of wrongdoing.

Stephen Giroux, presidentelect of the National Community Pharmacists Association, confirmed Friday that he is under investigation by the Western New York Health Care Fraud Task Force.

Agents from the task force seized numerous documents Monday night during a courtauthorized search of one of the stores owned by Giroux, the Middleport Family Health Care Center on Rochester Road.

“They did remove some records, but no charges have been leveled, and we’re continuing to operate,” Giroux said. “It’s a routine investigation.”

Buffalo FBI Special Agent Marc Falconetti said the task force is working on “an ongoing investigation into possible health care fraud” at the pharmacy.

Falconetti said he could not be more specific and could not speculate whether any criminal or civil charges would be filed.

Giroux said he is “completely confident” that no charges will result from the probe.

dherbeck@buffnews.com

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Buffalo News, N.Y.

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