ASSETS belonging to a Brisbane-based pharmacist charged with defrauding the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), are set to be liquidated to repay the Federal Government.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) reported that the Criminal Asset Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) had seized two residential properties, a share trading account and cryptocurrency linked to the 43-year-old.
The Department of Health and Aged Care (DoH) alleged the pharmacist had fraudulently claimed $1.9 million in PBS payments for "pharmaceutical benefits which were not actually supplied to eligibile patients".
The man was initially charged with one count of obtaining a financial advantage by deception contrary to section 134.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
"Following the criminal charge, the DoH referred the matter to the AFP to consider commencing confiscation proceedings," the Federal agency said.
"The CACT worked closely with DoH investigators to identify suspected proceeds of crime under the man's control and restrained assets.
"On 12 Jul, the District Court of Queensland ordered the pharmacist to pay $1.9 million to the Commonwealth pursuant to section 116(1) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth).
"The debt will be paid from the sale of restrained assets including a share trading account worth $1.37 million, cryptocurrency and two houses in Brisbane.
"Money from the liquidated assets will be paid into the Confiscated Assets Account, which is managed by the Australian Financial Security Authority on behalf of the Commonwealth.
"These funds can be distributed by the Attorney-General to benefit the community through crime prevention, intervention or diversion programs or other law enforcement initiatives across Australia."
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