Couple Busted for ‘Largest Ever Medicaid Fraud’ in Orange County

The Orange County, NY District Attorney and New York State Comptroller have shared the arrest of a married couple who they say are responsible for the "the largest Medicaid fraud scheme ever prosecuted" in the area.

Authorities shared that the defendants, who are residents of the Town of New Windsor, were allegedly able to steal nearly $3 million from the New York State Medicaid program by reportedly using several clever - and illegal - methods.

Orange County, NY District Attorney Announces Record-Breaking Fraud Case

In a recent press release, the Orange County District Attorney's Office shared details of the case against Rohail Raja and his wife Sharma Alam, who allegedly used two separate Medicaid transportation companies under their ownership to both over-bill and fraudulently bill the New York State Department of Health for their services.

Alleged New York Medicaid Fraud by New Windsor, NY Residents

A joint investigation between several local and state law enforcement agencies as well as the Office of the New York State Comptroller reportedly discovered fraudulent bills submitted by the defendants totaling more than $2 million for medical transportation that authorities say never happened. Another tactic allegedly used involved misreporting trips:

A review disclosed that the defendants’ companies were fraudulently submitting claims to the New York State Department of Health which falsely indicated that the companies had transported Medicaid recipients separately to medical appointments, when in reality they had transported multiple Medicaid recipients in one trip... [receiving] more than $895,000 than they were entitled to.

In total, the defendants are charged with defrauding the New York State Medicaid program for roughly $2,903,000 and were sent to the Orange County Jail with $1 million cash bonds. Authorities ask residents with additional information to call the Orange County District Attorney’s Office at 845-291-2900 or email  DaInvestigators@OrangeCountyGov.com.