Pharmacist Sold Fake COVID Vaccine Cards In Hudson County: Attorney General

BAYONNE, NJ — A Hudson County licensed pharmacist was charged after police say she sold a fake COVID-19 vaccination record cards to undercover officers for $250 a piece, Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor (OIFP) announced Friday.

Christina Bekhit, who runs the AllCare Pharmacy in Bayonne, was arrested June 22 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.

The OIFP’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) with the Bayonne Police Department and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs began investigating Bekhit after getting a tip that Bekhit had sold a fake COVID-19 record card to a Bayonne Police officer who was doing an undercover operation in January 2022, according to the report.

During the encounter with the undercover officer, Bekhit allegedly asked if he "really wanted to take the vaccine," according to the report.

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 New Jersey Immunization Information System database (NJIIS) database, according to the report.

The 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 cards displayed vaccination dates and lot numbers for vaccines that were never administered to the recipients.

Bekhit also allegedly told the undercover officer "if anyone you know wants a vaccine card, bring them to me," according to the report.

In two more visits from undercover investigators with the MCFU in February and March, Bekhit allegedly took money 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 Bekhit is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

She faces five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000 on the second-degree crimes, three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000 for third-degree crimes, and up to 18 months in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $5,000 for the fourth-degree crimes.

To report Medicaid Fraud or Patient Abuse & Neglect, please email NJMFCU@njdcj.org, complete the Medicaid Fraud & Patient Abuse & Neglect Reporting Form, or call 609-292-1272. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit also conducts presentations educating the public and the health care industry regarding Medicaid fraud. For more information on presentations, call 609-292-1272.