FORMER PHARMACY OWNER CHARGED WITH INSURANCE
FRAUD AND FELONY THEFT

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr., announced today the filing of felony insurance fraud and felony theft charges against Richard G. Halpern, 57, of 7915 Starburst Road, Pikesville. In a two count criminal information filed in Baltimore County Circuit Court, Halpern, formerly a pharmacist and owner of Irvin’s Pharmacy, 4001 Annapolis Road in Lansdowne, was charged with providing false documentation to and stealing over $309,000 from various insurance companies. The filing of charges follows a joint investigation conducted by the Office of the Attorney General, the Insurance Fraud Division of the Maryland Insurance Administration, the Maryland State Police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

The charges allege that from January of 1994 through October of 1996, Halpern billed various insurance companies for pharmaceutical products that he never actually dispensed. Halpern allegedly received over $309,000 in illegitimate insurance reimbursements. If convicted of felony theft or insurance fraud, Kirby could be sentenced to serve up to 15 years in prison on each count.

A criminal indictment is merely an accusation of wrongdoing, and every individual is presumed innocent until the charges are proven by the State. No trial date has been set.

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