Cardiologist Led $50M Medicaid & Medicare Scam

NEW YORK, NY – A brazen, decade-long scheme to fleece Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance companies of over $50 million has been exposed, with a cardiologist at its center. Federal authorities announced today the unsealing of an indictment and a civil lawsuit targeting ASIM HAMEEDI and five co-conspirators, accused of running a massive health care fraud operation out of City Medical Associates in Bayside, New York.

ASIM HAMEEDI, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and owner of City Medical Associates (“CMA”), allegedly spearheaded the 12-year fraud, submitting more than $50 million in bogus claims. Alongside him are FAWAD HAMEEDI, MICHELLE LANDOY, DESIREE SCOTT, EMAD SOLIMAN, and ARIF HAMEEDI, all charged with health care fraud, identity theft, and making false statements. A civil suit filed concurrently seeks treble damages and penalties under the False Claims Act.

The arrests came swiftly this morning. ASIM HAMEEDI was taken into custody in Manhattan, FAWAD HAMEEDI on Long Island, LANDOY and SCOTT in Queens, and SOLIMAN in Westchester County. ARIF HAMEEDI remains at large, believed to be outside the United States. All those arrested are expected to appear in Manhattan federal court today before Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn.

“As alleged, these defendants that included a cardiologist and neurologist ran a medical practice that for years bilked public health care programs and private insurance companies of more than $50 million,” declared Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. “Thanks to the hard work of federal and state investigators, this fraud has been revealed and the alleged perpetrators forced to face the consequences of their actions.”

Federal investigators say the scheme, run through CMA, involved widespread fraudulent billing practices. The specifics of the fraud remain under seal, but authorities emphasize the scale and longevity of the operation. FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. warned, “Public health insurance programs, like Medicare and Medicaid, are not a personal pocketbook for criminals seeking to exploit a program designed to help those who need these programs the most… The FBI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to bring to justice those who defraud taxpayer funded programs.”

The investigation involved the FBI, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and the New York City Police Department (NYPD). HHS-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Scott J. Lampert stated, “Health care fraud schemes like the one alleged here loot government health programs, compromise patient well-being, and undermine the public’s trust in the health profession.” NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill added, “This investigation revealed numerous calculated actions that occurred for more than a decade which resulted in more than $50 million in fraudulent claims.”