Leader Of Black-Market HIV Medication Fraud Scheme Sentenced to Nine Years In Prison

 

Boris Aminov Was Additionally Ordered to Pay More Than $13 Million in Restitution

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that BORIS AMINOV was sentenced  to nine years in prison for engaging in a years-long scheme that exploited vulnerable HIV patients and defrauded Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance companies out of at least $20 million.  AMINOV previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud before U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil, who imposed the sentence.  

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Boris Aminov orchestrated a scheme to get rich by lying to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance companies and by depriving vulnerable HIV patients of legitimate and safe medications.  He also made millions of dollars through buying and distributing black-market HIV medications to pharmacies all over New York City.  This sentencing brings a measure of closure with Aminov now facing the obligation to pay over 13 million in restitution.” 

According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Indictments and statements made in court proceedings:

From at least in or about 2017 through at least in or about 2023, AMINOV and others engaged in a scheme that defrauded Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance companies out of at least approximately $20 million through trafficking in black-market HIV medication.  In doing so, they exploited at least hundreds of low-income individuals who had been prescribed HIV medication, jeopardizing the health and safety of those patients. 

AMINOV distributed black-market HIV medications to pharmacies that were owned and operated by other co-conspirators.  That medication was then dispensed to unknowing patients who believed they were receiving legitimate medication.  To further their scheme and conceal their proceeds, co-conspirators used bank accounts associated with their respective pharmacies to funnel money to shell companies controlled by AMINOV.

In addition to the prison term, AMINOV, 47, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,270,379.50, and ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $4,401,495.00.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.