Queens Dentist Caught in $300K Medicaid Fraud Scheme
Queens dentist Suleman Nasimi and his practice have been charged with stealing over $300,000 from Medicaid through fraudulent billing for hundreds of unperformed dental procedures. Attorney General Letitia James announced the 40-count felony complaints, revealing a scheme that prevented vulnerable patients from receiving necessary care. Nasimi, who pleaded not guilty, faces substantial prison time if convicted.
A Queens dentist, Suleman Nasimi, residing in Hicksville, along with his practice, Tooth Fresh Meadows, has been formally charged with stealing more than $300,000 from Medicaid. The charges, announced by State Attorney General Letitia James, stem from an alleged scheme where Nasimi billed Medicaid for hundreds of dental procedures that were never performed over a 4½-year period.
On Monday, Nasimi, 46, and Tooth Fresh Meadows were presented with two separate 40-count felony complaints before Queens Criminal Court Judge Jennifer Saint-Preux. Each entity was charged with one count of second-degree grand larceny, two counts each of second- and third-degree healthcare fraud, and 35 counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing. The attorney general's office indicated that a conviction on the top count could result in Nasimi facing a prison sentence of 5 to 15 years.
During his arraignment, Nasimi entered a plea of not guilty and was released on his own recognizance. His attorney, Jeffrey A. Granat of Jacobson, Goldberg and Kulb, vehemently denied the allegations, stating that both he and Nasimi "look forward" to challenging the charges in court.
The State Attorney General's office detailed in a Monday news release that the fraudulent activities allegedly took place between January 1, 2020, and August 31, 2024. During this timeframe, Nasimi and his practice are accused of submitting false claims for dental procedures on at least 35 Medicaid recipients, none of whom received the billed services. A particularly egregious instance highlighted by authorities occurred in July 2022, when Nasimi reportedly billed over $140,000 in procedures while his office was closed, as he was on vacation in England, France, and Greece.
The false billings covered a range of dental work, including complex treatments like root canals and the installation of porcelain crowns, none of which were ever actually performed. This scheme had severe consequences for patients. According to authorities, because Medicaid records falsely indicated that these individuals had already received treatments from Nasimi and Tooth Fresh Meadows, patients were subsequently unable to obtain the necessary dental procedures they truly required.
Attorney General James underscored the broader impact of such fraudulent activities, stating, "Fraudsters who steal from Medicaid with fake billing schemes put vulnerable New Yorkers at risk by making it harder for them to get the care they need." The ongoing case emphasizes the gravity with which the state views the misuse of public healthcare funds.