A Bayonne pharmacist is accused of selling COVID-19 vaccination cards to unvaccinated customers, getting caught after selling one to an undercover police officer, Acting Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Christina Bekhit, a licensed pharmacist who operates the AllCare Pharmacy in Bayonne, was arrested on June 22nd and charged with second-degree computer criminal activity, third-degree tampering with public information, and fourth-degree destruction, falsification, or Alteration of records relating to medical care, Platkin said in a statement.
The charges stem from an investigation conducted by OIFP’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) in coordination with the Bayonne Police Department and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
The complaint alleges that on three occasions Bekhit sold falsified COVID-19 vaccination record cards to undercover investigators for $250 each.
The cards displayed vaccination dates and lot numbers for vaccines that were never administered to the recipients, including one undercover investigator who told Bekhit her job required her to be vaccinated.
The complaint further alleges that Bekhit entered false vaccination information into the New Jersey Immunization Information System database (NJIIS) purporting that the individuals had received COVID-19 vaccinations when they had not.
NJIIS is an online system managed by the New Jersey Department of Health that serves as the official repository of immunizations administered to children, adolescents, and adults in New Jersey.
The MCFU Unit began investigating Bekhit after receiving information that she had sold a fraudulent COVID-19 record card to a Bayonne Police officer conducting an undercover operation in January 2022.
During the encounter with the undercover officer, Bekhit allegedly asked if he “really wanted to take the vaccine.”
When the undercover officer said he did not, Bekhit allegedly offered to sell him a vaccine card that would include two vaccination dates and would be entered into the NJIIS database.
Before leaving the pharmacy, Bekhit allegedly told the undercover officer “if anyone you know wants a vaccine card, bring them to me.”
In two subsequent visits from undercover investigators with the MCFU in February and March, Bekhit allegedly accepted payments for fake vaccination record cards and entered false information into the NJIIS. The investigation is ongoing.
The Division of Consumer Affairs, which oversees the State’s professional licensing boards, said the State Board of Pharmacy has been informed of Bekhit’s arrest and will consider disciplinary action against her practicing credentials, if appropriate.
In addition to being licensed to practice pharmacy in New Jersey, Bekhit is separately authorized by the Board to administer immunizations in the state.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000, while third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000, and fourth-degree crimes carry a sentence of up to eighteen months in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $5,000.
This persons’ professional medical license should be taken away, all titles and privileges deemed null and void for life. In addition, prescriptions filled at this pharmacy were so ineffective and of such poor grade, they were returned, many times, and with that explanation. Unfortunately, this falls on deaf ears. The client receives an argument rather than an explanation. If the owner sold these booster vaccinated cards then the establishment need be closed
I agree with Lizzi Sangi. An unethical pharmacist motivated by simple greed is a danger to a community. I’m a believer in second chances, but medical professionals take a vow to hold themselves the high moral and ethical standards. Perhaps someone had a memory lapse.