Ex-pharmacy director pleads guilty to defrauding Nebraska hospital of $4.6M

The former pharmacy director for Omaha, Neb.-based Children's Hospital & Medical Center accused of embezzling more than $4.6 million from the hospital pleaded guilty to wire fraud Feb. 4, according to the Omaha World-Herald.

According to federal court filings, Lisa Kwapniowski, PharmD, submitted fraudulent invoices to the hospital for pharmaceuticals and supplies from RxSynergy, a company she created. Some of the invoices were for a fake drug called Broxcilam.

Between 2012 and 2018, Ms. Kwapniowski submitted at least 227 false invoices to the hospital and used fraudulent means to obtain payment. The hospital fired Ms. Kwapniowski in June after she was accused of embezzling the money.

Ms. Kwapniowski is scheduled to be sentenced in late April. She faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Prosecutors said she will be ordered to pay restitution as part of her sentence, according to the report.

Ms. Kwapniowski agreed to relinquish her license to practice pharmacy for at least two years under a settlement reached with the state in January.

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