Former Medical Doctor and Associates Charged in Large Scale Prescription Fraud Case

(Phoenix, Ariz. –Thursday, March 1, 2012) Attorney General Tom Horne today announced the charging of Dr. James Lawrence Robrock, Christopher Ryan Chilton, Matthew Anthony Thierbach and Jonathan Laine Zaletel on allegations stemming from a large scale prescription drug fraud scheme.

The charges, filed February 14, 2012 in Maricopa County are a result of a joint investigation conducted by the Sierra Vista Police Department, Department of Public Safety, Tempe Police Department, Benson Police Department, Casa Grande Police Department, the Attorney General’s Special Investigations Section and the Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud and Abuse Section/Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. 

According to the allegations, the suspects conspired to produce, forge and obtain fraudulent prescriptions for narcotic drugs and other controlled substances.  The drugs were obtained for both personal use and for resale using false prescriber information and a variety of aliases.  The State has alleged that the suspects forged and acquired hundreds of prescriptions throughout several Arizona counties.

“Prescription drug fraud is a very serious problem in Arizona,” Horne said.  “Consumers rely on the integrity of medical providers to ensure they receive appropriate care and medication.  Schemes such as this one are a threat to the integrity of the health care system as well as public health and safety, and my office is committed to aggressively prosecuting these types of cases.”

The State has charged the above-named suspects with the following crimes:

Participating in a Criminal Syndicate, a class 2 felony;
Fraud/ Schemes and Artifices, a class 2 felony;
Acquisition of a Narcotic Drug by Fraud, a class 3 felony;
Possession of a Narcotic Drug for Sale, a class 2 felony;
Forgery, a class 5 felony;
Transportation of a Prescription Only Drug for Sale, a class 6 felony; and 
Aggravated Taking the Identity of Another Person or Entity, a class 3 felony.

These charges are merely allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case was referred to and is being prosecuted by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office Health Care Fraud and Abuse Section/Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Steve Duplissis and Assistant Attorney General Jesse Delaney.  Copies of the indictment are attached. 

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