Fraud Scheme Uncovered in Brooklyn: 8 Individuals Face Charges in $68 Million Medicaid Scandal!
Eight Brooklyn residents have been charged with involvement in a $68 million Medicaid fraud scheme, according to federal authorities. These charges were announced on Wednesday in federal court. The individuals allegedly operated two adult daycare centers and a financial intermediary in Brooklyn.
They are accused of paying bribes and kickbacks for services that were never actually provided, according to a press release from the Office of the United States Attorney, Eastern District of New York, led by Breon Peace.
The indictment specifically names the defendants as Zakia Khan, Ahsan Ijaz, Ansir Abassi, Amran Hashmi, Elaine Antao, Omneah Hamdi, Manal Wasef, and Seema Memon. These individuals are all accused of being part of the fraudulent operation.
Breon Peace, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, made a statement saying, “Social adult day care and home health services are designed to help seniors, but as alleged, the defendants turned their businesses into a cash grab.” He emphasized that his office is committed to prosecuting those who misuse taxpayer-funded healthcare programs.
Court documents show that since October 2017, Khan and Ijaz owned and operated Happy Family Social Adult Day Care, Family Social Adult Day Care, and Responsible Care Staffing. These businesses reportedly billed Medicaid for services that were never provided.
The defendants allegedly paid bribes to Medicaid recipients, many of whom did not even visit the centers or receive services. In some instances, Medicaid recipients were not even in the United States on the days the services were claimed.
If found guilty, the defendants could face up to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering and up to 10 years for healthcare fraud.
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This case is part of a broader investigation being conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Homeland Security Investigations, and the New York City Police Department.