#NJ VA pharmacy tech charged with stealing millions in HIV meds

A former pharmacy technician at a New Jersey VA medical center is charged with stealing over $8 million worth of HIV medication from the workplace, federal prosecutors said.

Lisa Hoffman, 48, is accused of swiping the pricey meds from the federal medical center in East Orange for over two years ending in November 2019, the US Attorney’s Office for New Jersey announced Wednesday.

Prosecutors allege Hoffman, who was tasked with ordering drugs for the facility’s outpatient pharmacy, was caught on surveillance footage numerous times taking dozens of bottles of the medication, according to prosecutors.

Hoffman would then allegedly sell the prescription drugs to 33-year-old Wagner Checonolasco, known as “Wanny,” authorities said.

Checonolasco, who was already charged in the case, resold the meds to others, prosecutors said.

Hoffman is charged with theft of medical products.