A former Atlantic City firefighter pleaded guilty Friday to health care fraud in connection with a large-scale prescription-drug fraud ring.
It was the fifth guilty plea in the past two days and the first to involve a public employee. Federal authorities have been investigating health-benefits fraud in three Absecon Island municipalities, including Atlantic City, over the past few months.
Michael Pepper, 45, of Northfield, a retired firefighter, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health-benefits fraud before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler.