Page 10 - qt edition #3 January 16, 2025

PAGE 10 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2025

Attorney General James Puts Medical Gillibrand Previews Her Legislative Priorities
Transportation Industry On Notice, Announces For The New Congress
New Actions To Stop Ongoing Fraud U.S. Senator Kirsten ber of the Senate Aging mittee.
Gillibrand held a virtual Committee, I will continue • Fighting age discrimi-
New York Attorney fake trips, adding fake tolls tigations. press conference to share my work to protect Social nation in the workplace
General Letitia James has to inflate costs, fraudulently These investigations her legislative priorities Security and Medicare by passing the Protect-
announced new measures extending the mileage of were conducted by Auditor- and goals for the 119th and bring down the cost of ing Older Americans Act,
to stop a major source of trips, and using unlicensed Investigators and Data Ana- Congress. Gillibrand was prescription drugs. I also legislation that would in-
Medicaid fraud by transpor- drivers. In some cases, lysts led by MFCU Chief recently named to the pow- plan to reintroduce my validate forced arbitra-
tation companies that use companies exploit vulner- Auditor Dejan Budimir, erful Senate Appropria- bipartisan legislation to tion clauses that prevent
fake billing schemes to steal able Medicaid recipients MFCU Detectives led by tions Committee for the fight age discrimination in age discrimination victims
from Medicaid and exploit by paying them kickbacks former Deputy Chief Com- 119th Congress. She will the workplace. And finally, from seeking justice and
vulnerable patients. The Of- in exchange for request- manding Officer, MFCU also serve as the rank- as a champion for account- public accountability.
fice of the Attorney General ing transportation services William Falk and Deputy ing member of the Senate ability and transparency in • Expanding the Cyber
(OAG) today issued cease from the company. These Chief Ronald Lynch, Act- Aging Committee and as government, I will work to Academy program to help
and desist notices to 54 kickback schemes can put ing Commanding Officer, a member of the Senate pass legislation to ban stock young people get an af-
transportation companies already vulnerable New MFCU, and MFCU Region- Armed Services Commit- trading by members of fordable college education
throughout the state, warn- Yorkers at even greater risk. al Directors, Special Assis- tee and the Senate Select Congress, senior executive while simultaneously fill-
ing them of potential finan- MFCU investigators have tant Attorneys General, and Committee on Intelligence. branch officials, and their ing critical national secu-
cial penalties and prison uncovered cases in which legal support analysts from “As we enter a new Con- spouses and dependents. I rity positions in the federal
sentences if they continue transportation companies each of the Medicaid Fraud gress, I am firstly focused look forward to a produc- government.
their alleged illegal schemes exploited Medicaid recipi- Control Unit’s seven re- on the economy - deliver- tive 119th Congress deliv- • Mandating govern-
of overcharging Medicaid ents in need of substance gional offices, coordinated ing funds for infrastructure ering for New Yorkers.” ment transparency and
for fraudulent services. abuse treatment to recruit by MFCU Chief of Crimi- projects that create and Gillibrand’s priorities for accountability by passing
The OAG’s investigations passengers to use in fake nal Investigations Thom- support good-paying jobs; the 119th Congress include: bipartisan legislation to ban
into the medical transpor- billing schemes. as O’Hanlon and MFCU securing federal support • Securing federal fund- members of Congress, the
tation industry for ongoing Attorney General James Chief of Civil Enforcement for nonprofits and other ing for New York’s roads, president, vice president,
fraud have already secured announced new measures Alee Scott and AAG Em- organizations that help bridges, and public transit senior executive branch
over $10 million and led to to shut down this method of ily Auletta.. MFCU is led working class New York- projects. members, and their spouses
criminal convictions of 11 Medicaid fraud. The OAG by Director Amy Held and ers; and working across • Passing the FAMILY and dependents from hold-
individuals. In addition to has served cease and desist Assistant Deputy Attorney the aisle to make 12 weeks Act to make 12 weeks of ing or trading stocks.
issuing the cease and desist notices to 54 transporta- General Paul J. Mahoney. of paid family and medical paid family and medical • Continuing to fight for
notices today, Attorney tion companies operating The Division of Crimi- leave available for every leave available to everyone 9/11 first responders and
General James announced throughout the state, order- nal Justice is led by Chief American who needs it,” who needs it. survivors by passing the
recent settlements with four ing them to stop fraudulent Deputy Attorney General said Senator Gillibrand. • Bringing down the 9/11 Responder and Sur-
transportation companies billing practices that steal José Maldonado under the “I will fight to expand my cost of prescription drugs, vivor Health Funding Cor-
totaling over $847,000 for funds and put Medicaid oversight of First Deputy Cyber Academy program protecting Social Security rection Act, which would
their illegal billing schemes. patients at risk. Fifteen Attorney General Jennifer to help young people af- and Medicare, and protect- provide permanent and
“Companies that illegally of these companies have Levy. ford a college education ing seniors from financial mandatory funding for the
profit by exploiting Medic- also received demands for MFCU’s investiga- and secure stable employ- scams as ranking member World Trade Center Health
aid patients steal taxpayer repayment of fraudulently tions have led to criminal ment. As ranking mem- of the Senate Aging Com- Program.
money and undermine the obtained funds. The notices convictions of fraudulent
health care system that all sent to these companies transportation providers Travel Advisory - Closures Of Exit 10e Ramp From
New Yorkers rely on,” said highlighted their violations across the state. In Decem-
Attorney General James. and outlined potential pen- ber 2024, Attorney General Eastbound Grand Central Parkway To Eastbound
“Today I am putting the alties if they do not comply James announced the con- Long Island Expressway (I-495) In Queens
entire medical transporta- with the law. Medicaid pro- victions and sentences of
tion industry on notice to viders who knowingly vio- five taxi company owners On or about Monday, through approximately 5 For up-to-date, real-time
stop these schemes that late laws and regulations are and their seven companies January 13, through Friday, a.m., each morning. travel information, motor-
take advantage of vulner- subject to civil and criminal for stealing more than $4.4 January 31, at 12 a.m. and To access the eastbound ists should check New York
able New Yorkers and steal penalties, including prison million in Medicaid funds continuing through Ap- Long Island Expressway State’s official traffic and
critical funds intended to time and financial penal- through fake billing and il- proximately 5 a.m., Each during these closures, mo- travel information source
provide health care to those ties. If the companies do legal kickback schemes, as Morning torists should take Exit 10W by calling 5-1-1, visiting
in need. My office has al- not change their practices, well as money laundering. (Weather Permitting) (I-495 West) and follow the www.511NY.org, or down-
ready recovered millions of OAG will pursue all legal In October 2024, Attorney The New York State signed detour. load the free 511NY mobile
dollars and secured prison remedies to recover funds General James secured the Department of Transporta- Inclement weather could app.
sentences for those com- and punish the companies’ convictions of three owners tion (NYSDOT) is advising cause these closures to be Motorists are urged to
mitting this fraud. I will operators. of a transportation company motorists that there will be rescheduled. slow down and drive re-
continue to do everything In addition to the cease in Monroe County for fake full closures of the Exit 10E These closures are needed sponsibly in work zones.
my power to shut down and desist notices, Attorney billing and illegal kickback ramp from eastbound Grand to facilitate work on NYS- Fines are doubled for speed-
these schemes and ensure General James announced schemes. The leaders of the Central Parkway to the east- DOT’s $14.8 million Safety ing in a work zone. Con-
that state funds meant to four new settlements with scheme will serve prison bound Long Island Express- and Mobility Improvements victions of two or more
help New Yorkers in need transportation companies and jail time and must pay way (I-495) in Queens, on or on the eastbound Grand speeding violations in a
are not stolen through fraud for violations of Medicaid back over $2.1 million. about Monday, January 13, Central Parkway at Long work zone could result in
and corruption.” transportation rules that In March 2023, Attorney through Friday, January 31, Island Expressway Inter- the suspension of an indi-
Medicaid reimburs- will return over $847,000 General James secured over at 12 a.m. and continuing change project. vidual’s driver license.
es authorized businesses to the state. These include: $860,000 from a Capital
for transporting Medic- • City Service Transpor- Region transportation com- AG James Reminds New Yorkers to be
aid patients to and from tation, Inc. in Erie County pany for fraudulently billing
covered medical services. will repay $373,216.11. Medicaid. In 2020, Attorney Cautious in Charitable Giving For Los Angeles
A licensed taxi company • AJ Medical Transporta- General James secured the Wildfire Relief
enrolls with the state as tion Co. in Albany County conviction of a Niagara
an eligible provider and is will repay $350,000. Falls transportation compa- (Continued from page 9) well-intentioned, and some sonal Information. Be cau-
then randomly assigned • Safe Ride of WNY, ny owner for stealing from may provide innovative tious before giving credit
to provide trips to patients Inc. in Erie County and its Medicaid by billing the state just the cause. Find out forms of assistance, some card or personal informa-
to specific, non-emergen- owner, Robert Sapienza will for rides that they never what organization or entity may not have the experi- tion over the phone, by
cy, medical appointments. repay over $66,000. provided. The owner and his will receive the money ence or infrastructure to text message, or via the
The companies must use • Half Moon Medical drivers were ordered to pay and what programs it con- follow through on their internet. In all cases, make
licensed drivers, proper Transportation, Inc. in Sara- $1.2 million in restitution to ducts or what services it promises, and some may sure you are familiar with
vehicles, and bill only for toga County has agreed to the state. In 2019, Attorney provides. Find out how turn out to be scams. the organization to which
services actually rendered. pay back $58,000. General James announced much of the organization’s • Exercise Caution Before you give such information
They are allowed to bill Attorney General James the indictment and arrest of budget supports its mis- You Text a Contribution. and check to see that the
Medicaid for a base rate for thanks the United States the owner of Purple Heart sion. All charities have Check the charity’s web- fundraising campaign is
the trip, plus an amount for Department of Health and Transportation in New York administrative expenses, site or call the charity to legitimate.
mileage and any tolls. Human Services – Office City for stealing from Med- but be wary if these costs confirm it has authorized • Report Suspicious
The OAG’s Medicaid of the Inspector General, icaid using billing fake outweigh the amount spent contributions to be made Organizations. If you
Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) the New York State Depart- transportation services that on relief. via text message. believe an organization is
has investigated transporta- ment of Health, the Office were never provided. The • Look Into Newly Formed • Don’t Give Cash. Give misrepresenting its work
tion companies across the of the Medicaid Inspector leaders of this scheme have Organizations Carefully. directly to the charity ei- or that a fundraising or
state for using fake billing General, and the State’s been sentenced to prison Often, in the aftermath of ther by check made pay- charitable scam is tak-
and other fraudulent tactics transportation administra- and jail sentences and paid tragedies, new organiza- able to the organization ing place, please file a
to steal Medicaid funds. The tor, Medical Answering back $4.5 million to date. tions emerge to meet com- or through the charity’s complaint with the Chari-
companies’ schemes often Services LLC, for their munity needs. While most website. ties Bureau, or call 212-
involve billing Medicaid for cooperation in these inves- (Continued on page 11) of these organizations are • Be Careful About Per- 416-8401.