A former pharmacy technician was arrested and charged March 10 with stealing prescription HIV medications from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in East Orange, N.J., according to the U.S. Justice Department.
According to court documents, Lisa Hoffman was responsible for ordering drugs and supplies for the hospital's outpatient pharmacy. She allegedly used her position to steal about $8.2 million worth of medication from the hospital between August 2017 and November 2019.
Prosecutors allege Ms. Hoffman placed large orders for HIV medication on behalf of the hospital and then stole the medication after it was delivered. Surveillance footage allegedly shows Ms. Hoffman regularly stealing dozens of bottles of HIV medications.
Ms. Hoffman is charged with theft of medical products, which carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million, according to the Justice Department.