Nassau Charges $8M Ghost Pharmacies as Bergen Dining Spots Expand

In consumer enforcement and regional business news across the New York metropolitan area this weekend, Nassau County authorities announced criminal charges against two Long Island storefronts accused of billing $8 million in a "ghost pharmacy" scheme, Nolan Keegan reported in Hoodline, while in Bergen County, New Jersey, Mediterranean takeout restaurant Faro Kitchen debuted in Fort Lee (The Press) and longtime Jewish delicatessen The Kosher Nosh expanded to Cresskill (The Press).

Nassau County Charges $8M Ghost Pharmacy Scheme and Forms PHANTOM Task Force

Following neighborhood tips, Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder and District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced criminal indictments under New York Penal Law Article 177 against RNJ Pharmacy, Inc. on Guy Lombardo Avenue in Freeport (charged with second-degree healthcare fraud, second-degree grand larceny, and 3 counts of first-degree identity theft) and Jericho Express Rx, Inc. on Jericho Turnpike in Floral Park (charged with second-degree healthcare fraud, second-degree grand larceny, and 2 counts of first-degree identity theft).

Investigators allege the two storefronts stole a physician's identity and patient credentials to bill Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurers roughly $8 million — collecting about $5 million in payouts — for high-cost HIV and cancer medications that were never dispensed. According to Ryder, suspects Bakhodir Mirodimov of Uzbekistan (accused of taking $3 million in 31 days) and Abdilakim Berdikulov of Kurdistan (accused of taking $5 million) used New York State driver's licenses to open the corporate accounts before leaving the country. In response, Nassau County police and prosecutors partnered with HHS, the DEA, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of Labor, and the New York State Comptroller's Division of Investigations to launch the PHANTOM Task Force targeting fraudulent pharmaceutical billing.

Faro Kitchen Opens in Fort Lee and The Kosher Nosh Expands to Cresskill

Across the Hudson River in Bergen County, New Jersey, two neighborhood dining concepts are expanding:

• Faro Kitchen in Fort Lee: Positioned as an independent local competitor to national fast-casual chain CAVA, Faro Kitchen has opened in Fort Lee offering customizable Mediterranean bowls, wraps, sandwiches, dips, and signature dishes including the Steak Avocado Bowl, Sizzling Chicken Bowl, Chicken Balsamic Bowl, Mediterranean Bowl, and Glazed Salmon Bowl alongside falafel, shrimp, and tofu options.
• The Kosher Nosh in Cresskill (172 Piermont Rd.): Established in 1976 with its longtime delicatessen at 894 Prospect Street in Glen Rock (ZIP code 07452), The Kosher Nosh has opened a second location at 172 Piermont Road in Cresskill (ZIP code 07626). Serving Cresskill, Tenafly, Demarest, Closter, and Alpine for dine-in, takeout, delivery, and event catering, the deli offers New York-style pastrami and corned beef on rye, roast turkey, matzo ball soup, stuffed cabbage, knishes, and potato pancakes.