Acting U.S. Attorney Joel L. Violanti has announced that Munef Fadhel, a 37-year-old resident of Lackawanna, New York, has pleaded guilty to health care fraud. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr., and carries a potential maximum penalty of 10 years in prison along with a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright provided details of the case, revealing that between June 2017 and December 2020, Fadhel engaged in fraudulent activities against the Medicaid program. As an owner of Great Lake Transportation, Inc., a company offering transportation services to Medicaid beneficiaries, Fadhel submitted false records for reimbursement. He falsely claimed shared rides as individual rides to receive higher reimbursements from Medicaid, resulting in losses exceeding $95,000.
The investigation leading to the plea was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia and the New York State Department of Financial Services led by Superintendent Adrienne A. Harris.
Fadhel's sentencing is set for August 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., presided over by Judge Sinatra.
