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Two Brooklyn Recruiters Plead Guilty in $68 Million Medicaid Kickback Scheme

The pleas move forward a federal case targeting New York providers accused of billing for care not delivered.

Overview

  • Manal Wasef, 46, and Elaine Antao, 46, admitted to conspiracy to commit health care fraud tied to two Brooklyn social adult day cares and a home‑health fiscal intermediary.
  • Prosecutors say they paid kickbacks to beneficiaries and steered referrals, resulting in more than $68 million in Medicaid claims for services that were not provided.
  • Investigators report the pair used multiple business entities to launder proceeds and generate cash for the bribes.
  • The defendants agreed to collectively forfeit about $1 million, each faces up to 10 years in prison, and sentencing is set for May 20 and May 27.
  • HHS‑OIG, HSI, and the NYPD investigated the case, and the pleas mark the sixth and seventh convictions in the Strike Force‑led prosecution.