Two Plead Guilty in $68M Adult Day Care Fraud Case
Two defendants have recently admitted guilt in a significant Medicaid fraud scheme valued at $68 million. The case involves illicit kickbacks and services not rendered at social adult day cares in Brooklyn, New York.
Key Details of the Fraud Case
Manal Wasef, 46, and Elaine Antao, 46, both of Brooklyn, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. They served as marketers and recruiters for:
- Happy Family Social Adult Day Care Center Inc.
- Family Social Adult Day Care Center Inc.
- Responsible Care Staffing Inc.
Between October 2017 and July 2024, Wasef and Antao engaged in a scheme that involved bribing Medicaid recipients to refer them to these facilities. They orchestrated payments for services that were not provided, instead gathering funds from bills submitted to Medicaid.
Consequences and Legal Actions
Wasef and Antao agreed to forfeit approximately $1 million as part of their guilty pleas. They are now the sixth and seventh individuals to accept guilt in this ongoing investigation. Each defendant faces up to 10 years in prison, with sentencing dates set for May 20 and May 27, respectively.
Responses from Law Enforcement
Officials from the Justice Department and health organizations have emphasized the commitment to fighting fraud within government health care programs. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. stated, “We will continue to investigate and aggressively prosecute fraud schemes.” Additionally, Special Agent Naomi Gruchacz highlighted the potential harm these fraudulent operations inflict on vulnerable populations relying on healthcare assistance.
Ricky J. Patel from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reiterated that this fraud scheme prioritized profit over public welfare, stating the actions of these defendants hurt Americans and wasted taxpayer funds.
Ongoing Investigation
The case is under the prosecution of Trial Attorneys Patrick J. Campbell and Leonid Sandlar, with the investigation led by the Department of Health and Human Services, the New York Police Department, and ICE. The Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, initiated in March 2007, has made substantial progress against health care fraud, charging over 5,800 defendants with more than $30 billion claimed fraudulently from federal health care programs.
The successful plea deals from Wasef and Antao exemplify ongoing efforts to combat health care fraud and protect public welfare through rigorous legal action.
