A former Western New York resident admitted in federal court to lying under oath during his previous fraud trial, prosecutors announced Tuesday.
Michael W. Luehrsen, 41, of Miami, Florida, pleaded guilty to perjury before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. As part of his plea deal, Luehrsen agreed to pay approximately $2 million in restitution and forfeit an additional $2 million in assets, including investments and real estate proceeds.
Luehrsen’s perjury stems from testimony he gave in February 2022 during his trial for health care fraud in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. Prosecutors say Luehrsen falsely testified that he was in California and Boston on key dates in 2014 when fraudulent prescriptions were faxed. However, evidence from his cellphone, as well as financial and telephone records, confirmed that he was actually in Buffalo on July 11, 2014—the same day an altered compound prescription form was sent from his father’s home.
The FBI, led by Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, conducted the investigation.
Luehrsen is scheduled for sentencing on June 27 before Judge Vilardo.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].