News

March 8, 2010

Woman charged with insurance fraud

By Ed Lewis elewis@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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KINGSTON - A woman was able to obtain a prescription medication that was billed to her sister-in-law because their first name begins with J, according to charges filed.

Jennifer Lynn Rittel, 37, of Scott Street, Wilkes-Barre, was charged with two counts of insurance fraud and acquire or obtain possession of a controlled substance. She was arraigned by District Judge Paul Roberts in Kingston and released on $7,500 unsecured bail.

According to the criminal complaint:

Agents with the Northeast Insurance Fraud Task Force allege Jennifer Rittel obtained suboxone from CVS Pharmacies in Wilkes-Barre and Kingston from January 2009 to November giving the impression that she was her sister-in-law, Jane Rittel.

A physician signed the prescription "J. Rittel."  Agents allege in the criminal complaint that Jennifer Rittel signed pickup orders using her sister-in-law's name.

Payment was then billed to Jane Rittel's insurance carrier, Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, in the amount of $3,704, the criminal complaint says.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled on March 17 before Roberts.

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