Tag:

Medicaid

Multi-Million Dollar Scheme: 8 NYers Accused Of Scamming Government For Services Never Provided Multi-Million Dollar Scheme: 8 NYers Accused Of Scamming Government For Services Never Provided
Multi-Million Dollar Scheme: 8 NYers Accused Of Scamming Government For Services Never Provided Eight New Yorkers who owned, operated, or were employees of several transportation companies have been accused of scamming the government out of millions of dollars for services never provided. The indictments were unsealed on Long Island at federal court in Central Islip on Tuesday, June 11. Seven of the eight are from Long Island and the other from New York City: Noman Ahmed, age 37, Port Jefferson Station; Adnan Arshad, also known as “Eddie,” age 45, Mount Sinai; Rehman Diwan, age 24, Hicksville; Jessica Hendrickson, age 36, Patchogue; Jose Marte, age 33, …
NY Doctor Forced Invasive, Unnecessary Tests On Patients, Attorney General Claims NY Doctor Forced Invasive, Unnecessary Tests On Patients, Attorney General Claims
NY Doctor Forced Invasive, Unnecessary Tests On Patients, Attorney General Claims A New York doctor has been indicted for his alleged involvement in a kickback scheme that involved him defrauding Medicaid and giving patients unnecessary tests, officials announced. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Wednesday, Nov. 22 the indictment of Long Island resident Payam Toobian, M.D., alongside his company, America’s Imaging Center, Inc., for over 10 years of alleged Medicaid fraud. Through his corporation, Toobian, age 51, of King's Point, ran Empire’s Imaging, a diagnostic radiology center based in Queens. From January 2006 to August 2017, the AG’s Office …
Pharmacy Owner From Long Island Engaged In $26M Health Care Fraud Scheme, Feds Say Pharmacy Owner From Long Island Engaged In $26M Health Care Fraud Scheme, Feds Say
Pharmacy Owner From Long Island Engaged In $26M Health Care Fraud Scheme, Feds Say Two pharmacy owners, including one from Long Island, are facing federal charges for their alleged roles in a massive health care fraud scheme, authorities said. Taesung Kim, age 58, of Great Neck and Dacheng Lu, age 44, of Flushing, Queens are each accused of submitting false and fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday, May 2, in federal court in Brooklyn. The pair owned and operated four pharmacies located in Brooklyn and Queens. According to federal prosecutors, between January 2015 and December 2022 Kim and Lu conspired with others to subm…
Criminal Couple: LI Duo Fraudulently Claim $112K In Benefits, Lie On Paperwork, DA Says Criminal Couple: LI Duo Fraudulently Claim $112K In Benefits, Lie On Paperwork, DA Says
Criminal Couple: LI Duo Fraudulently Claim $112K In Benefits, Lie On Paperwork, DA Says A husband and wife from Long Island are facing more than half a dozen charges after fraudulently collecting $112,000 in public assistance, authorities said. Levittown residents Terry Ann Powell-Bajwa, age 45, and Khurram Bajwa, age 40, were arraigned in Nassau County Court on Thursday, April 6. According to prosecutors, between 2017 and 2021, Powell-Bajway allegedly lied on applications that she submitted to the Nassau County Department of Social Services (NCDSS) and the New York State Health Benefits Exchange (NYSHBE). Among these, authorities report that she falsely listed herself as a s…
LI Company Prez Fraudulently Received $50K In Public Benefits While Driving Luxury Car, DA Says LI Company Prez Fraudulently Received $50K In Public Benefits While Driving Luxury Car, DA Says
LI Company Prez Fraudulently Received $50K In Public Benefits While Driving Luxury Car, DA Says A Long Island man is accused of fraudulently obtaining tens of thousands of dollars in public assistance while serving as the president of two companies and driving a luxury car, prosecutors said. Otari Bater, age 49, of East Northport, was arraigned on felony charges of grand larceny and welfare fraud in Nassau County Court on Tuesday, Dec. 27. Prosecutors allege that between January 2018 and January 2020, while applying for Medicaid and SNAP benefits, Bater made false claims to the Nassau County Department of Social Services (NCDSS) and the New York State Health Benefits Exchange (NYSHBE)…
Nursing Home Stole $22.6M In Government Funds, NY AG Says Nursing Home Stole $22.6M In Government Funds, NY AG Says
Nursing Home Stole $22.6M In Government Funds, NY AG Says Millions of dollars in public funding that should’ve gone to caring for residents of a New York nursing home were instead diverted into the pockets of its greedy owners, according to a lawsuit from Attorney General Letitia James. The suit, filed Friday, Dec. 16, alleges a years-long fraud scheme carried out by the owners of Long Island’s Cold Spring Hills Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, located in Woodbury. Earlier Report: East Meadow Nursing Home's $16M Fraud Scheme Led To 'Devastating' Resident Abuse, AG Says An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that…
NY Nursing Home's $16M Fraud Scheme Led To 'Devastating' Resident Abuse, Neglect, AG Says NY Nursing Home's $16M Fraud Scheme Led To 'Devastating' Resident Abuse, Neglect, AG Says
NY Nursing Home's $16M Fraud Scheme Led To 'Devastating' Resident Abuse, Neglect, AG Says Sexual abuse, unexplained bruising, unanswered call bells, and humiliating missed trips to the bathroom. Those were just some of the horrors experienced by residents at a New York nursing home stemming from a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme, according to a lawsuit from Attorney General Letitia James. Related Report: East Meadow Nursing Home Employee Sexually Assaulted Resident, Boss Covered Up Crime, DA Says The suit, filed Tuesday, Dec. 13, alleges that the owners of Long Island’s Fulton Commons Care Center, located in East Meadow, exploited New York’s Medicaid program to enrich themsel…
NY Doctor Charged For $1.3 Million Fraud Scheme NY Doctor Charged For $1.3 Million Fraud Scheme
NY Doctor Charged For $1.3 Million Fraud Scheme A New York doctor is accused of defrauding Medicare and Medicaid of over $1.3 million. Federal prosecutors allege that Dr. Perry Frankel, age 64, of Roslyn, in Nassau County, submitted false billing claims to Medicare and Medicaid for office visits that were never performed for patients who received COVID-19 tests. The tests were done at mobile sites across Long Island through Frankel’s cardiology clinic, Advanced Cardiovascular Diagnostics PLLC, located in Great Neck. Frankel was not even in New York when some of the alleged office visits occurred, prosecutors said. “As alleged, exploiti…
Suffolk Man Ordered To Pay  $1M In Restitution For Fraud Scheme Suffolk Man Ordered To Pay  $1M In Restitution For Fraud Scheme
Suffolk Man Ordered To Pay $1M In Restitution For Fraud Scheme A Turkish national has been sentenced and ordered to pay more than a million dollars for his role in orchestrating an elaborate “birth tourism” health care fraud scheme on Long Island, federal authorities announced. East Patchogue resident Ibrahim Aksakal was sentenced at First District Court in Central Islip on Tuesday, March 8 to 27 months in prison for conspiring to commit health care and wire fraud in connection scheme that Aksakal operated in Suffolk County between 2017 and 2020. Prosecutors said that the scheme involved pregnant Turkish women fraudulently entering the country and usin…
Man Sentenced In Suffolk County 'Birth Tourism' Health Care Fraud Scheme Man Sentenced In Suffolk County 'Birth Tourism' Health Care Fraud Scheme
Man Sentenced In Suffolk County 'Birth Tourism' Health Care Fraud Scheme A 50-year-old man has been sentenced on charges related to a "birth tourism" health care fraud scheme he operated on Long Island. Ibrahim Aksakal, a Turkish national, was sentenced on Tuesday, March 8, to 27 months in prison for conspiring to commit health care and wire fraud, according to an announcement from Breon Peace, United States attorney for the Eastern District of New York. Aksakal was also ordered to pay restitution of $1,039,723.63, and forfeiture in the amount of $397,500, according to the announcement. Between 2017 and 2020, Aksakal operated a scheme in Suffolk Count…
Three Long Island Therapists Nabbed In $3M Scheme To Defraud Kids With Disabilities, Feds Say Three Long Island Therapists Nabbed In $3M Scheme To Defraud Kids With Disabilities, Feds Say
Three Long Island Therapists Nabbed In $3M Scheme To Defraud Kids With Disabilities, Feds Say Three therapists from Long Island are among nine people arrested in an alleged $3 million scheme that deprived children with disabilities of receiving government services. According to the United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District of New York, nine therapists were charged with stealing $3 million from the New York State Early Intervention Program (EIP), which is a program that provides services to children from infants to age 3 who experience developmental delays. The stolen money reportedly included "more than $993,000 from Medicaid and more than $1,998,000 from the N…
Former Fugitive LI Dentist Convicted Of Medical Fraud Former Fugitive LI Dentist Convicted Of Medical Fraud
Former Fugitive LI Dentist Convicted Of Medical Fraud A former dentist on Long Island has been convicted of submitting false Medicaid claims and fleeing the country after his dental license was revoked, authorities announced. Long Island native Dawer Nadi, age 63, was sentenced to a term of between 4 and ⅓ to 10 years in prison following his conviction in Suffolk County Supreme Court to multiple charges. Specifically, Nadi was convicted by a jury of: Third-degree grand larceny; Unauthorized practice of a profession; Eight counts of offering a false instrument for filing. Each of the charges was a felony. Nadi was also ordered to pay $27,768.…
Westchester Doctor Sentenced For Pushing Fentanyl For Drug Company Westchester Doctor Sentenced For Pushing Fentanyl For Drug Company
Westchester Doctor Sentenced For Pushing Fentanyl For Drug Company A Westchester doctor who practiced in Manhattan has been sentenced to five years in prison for taking bribes from drug companies for prescribing fentanyl. Jeffrey Goldstein, of New Rochelle, was sentenced on Wednesday, June 16, for violating the anti-kickback statute after receiving more than $200,000 from Subsys’s manufacturer, Insys Therapeutics, in exchange for prescribing Subsys, a potent fentanyl-based spray, said. Audrey Strauss, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Goldstein, age 51, previously pleaded guilty, in August 2019, the United States Attorney's Office sa…
COVID-19: Nursing Home Scandal Could Bring Criminal Charges For Cuomo, Prosecutor Says COVID-19: Nursing Home Scandal Could Bring Criminal Charges For Cuomo, Prosecutor Says
Covid-19: Nursing Home Scandal Could Bring Criminal Charges For Cuomo, Prosecutor Says New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s COVID-19 nursing home scandal could lead to federal charges, according to a longtime prosecutor. John Daukas, who was acting attorney general for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division under President Donald Trump, said that Cuomo could face criminal charges after underreporting nursing home deaths and then attempting to cover it up. Earlier story - COVID-19: Nursing Home Scandal Fallout Increases As More Dems Turn On Cuomo, Feds Launch Probe In an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, Daukas said that Cuomo’s administration misled the public, and the …
COVID-19: Cuomo Calls For Nursing Home Reform Amid Federal Probe, Increasing Pressure COVID-19: Cuomo Calls For Nursing Home Reform Amid Federal Probe, Increasing Pressure
Covid-19: Cuomo Calls For Nursing Home Reform Amid Federal Probe, Increasing Pressure With pressure coming from both sides of the aisle into investigating New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s handling of nursing homes during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, he has vowed sweeping reform as part of the 30-day amendments. Cuomo announced reforms to improve the health, quality of life, and safety of nursing home residents to ensure that “facilities prioritize patient care over profits.” “You can’t say to a nursing home that ‘either you can buy new beds, or you can make more money,' " Cuomo said during a COVID-19 briefing on Friday, Feb. 19. “It’s not a matter of hiring more staff or …
Cuomo Proposes Raising Taxes On Wealthiest NYers Cuomo Proposes Raising Taxes On Wealthiest NYers
Cuomo Proposes Raising Taxes On Wealthiest NYers With New York facing a record-setting $15 billion deficit amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget proposal includes a potential tax hike for the state’s wealthiest residents. In his budget proposal this week, Cuomo proposed raising taxes on the rich to a combined level of 14.7 percent, which would be the highest state and local tax rate in the nation as New York looks to dig out of the financial hole created during the pandemic. The top tax rate would rise to 10.86 percent, up from 8.82 percent, making it the highest income tax in the nation. It would only impact those making…
COVID-19: Feds Charge NYC-Area Pharmacy Owners In $30 Million Health Care Fraud COVID-19: Feds Charge NYC-Area Pharmacy Owners In $30 Million Health Care Fraud
Covid-19: Feds Charge Nyc-area Pharmacy Owners In $30 Million Health Care Fraud The owners of more than a dozen New York City-area pharmacies exploited the COVID-19 pandemic to scam Medicaid out of $30 million, then used the money to buy themselves real estate and luxury items, federal authorities charged. Peter Khaim, 40, and Arkadiy Khaimov, 37, both of Forest Hills, got others to pose as pharmacy owners or supervisors to take advantage of emergency override codes added to the Medicare system during the national state of emergency, an indictment returned by a grand jury in Brooklyn alleges. They used these to submit fraudulent claims for the expensive cancer medicati…
Six Charged  For Scheme In Which 117 Turkish Moms Gave Birth To 119 Children On Long Island Six Charged  For Scheme In Which 117 Turkish Moms Gave Birth To 119 Children On Long Island
Six Charged For Scheme In Which 117 Turkish Moms Gave Birth To 119 Children On Long Island Six Long Island residents have been indicted for allegedly operating a “birth tourism” fraud and money laundering scheme. The six were indicted on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, said the office of Seth D. DuCharme, Acting U.S. Attorney Eastern District of New York. The scheme, which took place in Suffolk County between approximately 2017 and 2020, involved pregnant Turkish women fraudulently entering the United States using tourist and business visas to give birth so that their children would obtain birthright citizenship and medical benef…
Ex-Long Island Medical Supplier Sentenced For Multi-Million Dollar Health Care Fraud Ex-Long Island Medical Supplier Sentenced For Multi-Million Dollar Health Care Fraud
Ex-Long Island Medical Supplier Sentenced For Multi-Million Dollar Health Care Fraud A former member of the “Most Wanted List” who fled to Haiti for more than a decade will spend years in prison and has been ordered to pay millions of dollars after admitting to his role in a health care fraud scheme on Long Island. Etienne Allonce, the former co-owner of Medical Solutions Management in Hicksville, was sentenced to 36 months in prison after he pleaded guilty in federal court last year in Central Islip to health care fraud. In addition to his prison term, Allonce was also ordered to pay $4,444,468 in restitution to his victims. Acting U.S. Attorney Seth DuCharme said that be…
COVID-19: Long Island Pharmacist Charged With Hoarding, Price Gouging Of N95 Masks COVID-19: Long Island Pharmacist Charged With Hoarding, Price Gouging Of N95 Masks
Covid-19: Long Island Pharmacist Charged With Hoarding, Price Gouging Of N95 Masks A Long Island pharmacist is facing charges for alleged price gouging of personal protective equipment during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Federal officials charged Suffolk County resident Richard Schirripa - also known as “the Mask Man” - with violating the Defense Production Act by hoarding and price gouging N95 masks; making false statements to law enforcement; committing healthcare fraud; and committing aggravated identity theft.  Schirripa, of Fort Salonga, had been wanted and turned himself in to authorities on Tuesday, May 26. Schirripa is accused of buying a…
COVID-19: Westchester, Suffolk Can Resume Elective Surgeries; Horse Racing Tracks To Reopen COVID-19: Westchester, Suffolk Can Resume Elective Surgeries; Horse Racing Tracks To Reopen
Covid-19: Westchester, Suffolk Can Resume Elective Surgeries; Horse Racing Tracks To Reopen Horse racing tracks across New York State and Watkins Glen International Racetrack will be allowed to open without fans amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Those openings will be effective as of Monday, June 1. The state will issue guidance on how they can open safely reopen in the coming week. Gov. Andrew Cuomo also announced at his news briefing on Saturday, May 16 that two more counties -- Westchester and Suffolk -- are now eligible to resume elective surgeries and ambulatory care.  Cuomo previously announced that the state will allow elective outpatient treatments…
Trump Administration Cancels $8 Billion Healthcare Grant For New York, Cuomo Says Trump Administration Cancels $8 Billion Healthcare Grant For New York, Cuomo Says
Trump Administration Cancels $8 Billion Healthcare Grant For New York, Cuomo Says President Donald Trump’s administration is canceling an $8 billion healthcare grant that had been awarded to New York six years ago, drawing the ire of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo said that healthcare funding for New York which was previously granted in 2014 had been canceled by the president’s administration.  The $8 billion was earmarked to allow the state to transition healthcare services from primarily hospital driven to more of a community-based healthcare system. “If there's one area that you'd think should be beyond politics, it's healthcare,” Cuomo said. “And what the federal gov…
Four Who Operated Queens Medical Clinic Convicted For Illegally Distributing Oxycodone Four Who Operated Queens Medical Clinic Convicted For Illegally Distributing Oxycodone
Four Who Operated Queens Medical Clinic Convicted For Illegally Distributing Oxycodone Four people who operated a pill mill in Queens that sold millions of oxycodone pills to customers who came out from all five boroughs. John Gargan, 63, of Manhattan, and Loren Piquant, 38, of the Bronx, were convicted after a two-week trial of narcotics distribution conspiracy. Two others, Queens residents Dante Cubangbang, 51, and Michael Kellerman, previously pleaded guilty to narcotics, health care fraud, and money laundering charges in connection with their participation in the oxycodone distribution scheme at that same clinic.  Between 2018, Cubangbang, a doctor, and Gargan…
Long Island Church Going Viral For Its Clever Signs Long Island Church Going Viral For Its Clever Signs
Long Island Church Going Viral For Its Clever Signs A church on Long Island has gone viral as a result of a pastor’s clever use of signage. Wantagh Memorial Congregation Church’s Pastor Ron Garner uses highly visible church signs to “preach to the street.”  His creations, which have been featured on CNN, MSNBC and the United Church of Christ’s Sunday Bulletin Service, have included the following thoughtful and humorous phrases: “God prefers kind atheists over hateful Christians.” “A gay Christian is not an oxymoron; a hateful Christian most certainly is.” “How do we worship a homeless man on Sunday and ignore one on Monday?” “Jesus ha…
Two Doctors Among Five Charged In Northeast Regional Health Care Fraud Takedown Two Doctors Among Five Charged In Northeast Regional Health Care Fraud Takedown
Two Doctors Among Five Charged In Northeast Regional Health Care Fraud Takedown Two doctors, a pharmacy owner, pharmacist who lost his license and a registered nurse are facing charges for their roles in a $17 million fraud scheme. The United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York announced that Anna Steiner, 63, Denny Martin, 46, Andrew Barrett, 60, Phyllis Pincus, 58, and Kevin McMahon, 31, have been charged for defrauding the Medicare and Medicaid programs by overbilling them by millions of dollars. It is alleged that Steiner, a licensed anesthesiologist from Valatie in Columbia County, New York, was involved in a $17.4 million scheme related …
Father, Son Owners Of Long Island Company Admit To $8.6M Kickback Scheme Father, Son Owners Of Long Island Company Admit To $8.6M Kickback Scheme
Father, Son Owners Of Long Island Company Admit To $8.6M Kickback Scheme A father and son who operated an ambulette company on Long Island have admitted to a multi-million kickback scheme. Igor Radinovskiy, 60, and Aleksandr Radinovskiy, 37, both of Brooklyn, the co-owners of Sabe Ambulette Services in Brooklyn and North Bellmore, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to offer and pay health care kickbacks and one count of conspiracy to defraud the lawful functions of the IRS. The two admitted to paying kickbacks to co-conspirator drivers who recruited Medicaid beneficiaries for transportation to clinics in Brooklyn and Queens, referring the…
LI Woman Among Two Physicians Arrested For Alleged Role In Opioid Mill Fraud Scheme LI Woman Among Two Physicians Arrested For Alleged Role In Opioid Mill Fraud Scheme
LI Woman Among Two Physicians Arrested For Alleged Role In Opioid Mill Fraud Scheme A pair of physicians, including a woman who lives on Long Island, are facing charges for allegedly conspiring to operate a pill mill and fraudulently billing Medicaid. Rockville Centre resident Clarise Clemons and Rego Park resident Ilya Smuglin and have been arrested and charged with criminal sale of a prescription for a controlled substance, health care fraud and conspiracy, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced, following an investigation. It is alleged that Clemons, 63, Smuglin, 50, and other staff at the Miromedical P.C. and Ferrara Medical Care P.C. clinics created, enabl…
Former Hicksville Medical Company Co-Owner Admits To Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Former Hicksville Medical Company Co-Owner Admits To Multi-Million Dollar Fraud
Former Hicksville Medical Company Co-Owner Admits To Multi-Million Dollar Fraud A former member of the “Most Wanted List” who fled to Haiti for more than a decade has admitted to his role in a multi-million dollar health care fraud scheme on Long Island. Etienne Allonce, the former co-owner of Medical Solutions Management in Hicksville pleaded guilty in federal court this week in Central Islip to health care fraud. In September last year, Allonce was expelled from Haiti, where he had fled 11 years ago following the filing of an indictment in the Eastern District of New York charging him with billing Medicare and Medicaid for medical supplies never delivered to patients…