A Hicksville dentist has been arrested and charged with stealing more than $300,000 from Medicaid by allegedly billing for hundreds of dental procedures he never performed, New York Attorney General Letitia James said.
Suleman Nasimi, 46, of Hicksville, and his Queens dental practice, Tooth Fresh Meadows, were arraigned on 40 felony counts in connection with the alleged scheme.
Prosecutors said Nasimi submitted false Medicaid claims involving at least 35 recipients between January 2020 and August 2024.
In July 2022 alone, Nasimi allegedly billed Medicaid more than $140,000 for dental procedures during periods when his office was closed and he was vacationing in England, France and Greece, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
Some Medicaid recipients were later unable to receive dental care they needed because Medicaid records falsely showed that the procedures had already been performed and paid for, prosecutors said.
Nasimi and Tooth Fresh Meadows were each charged with second-degree grand larceny, second- and third-degree health care fraud and 35 counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing.
Nasimi faces a maximum sentence of five to 15 years in state prison on the top charge if convicted.
The charges are allegations, and Nasimi is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
