6 Charged In Medicaid Fraud Sweeps Request PTI: Report

LAKEWOOD, NJ — Six people who were charged in the Medicaid fraud sweeps in late June and early July have requested entry in the state's pretrial intervention program, or PTI, according to a report.

The Asbury Park Press reported the six were among eight people who appeared in Superior Court in Ocean County on Wednesday to respond to charges of public assistance fraud that authorities say has exceeded $2 million among the 26 people arrested.

PTI allows someone accuse of a crime to avoid trial and criminal conviction, provided they meet all of the requirements of the program. It is available only to first-time offenders who are accused of nonviolent crimes and the local prosecutor's office must consent to it, according to state Office of the Judiciary website. Typically PTI includes supervision by the courts for as much as three years and requirements of paying restitution and community service.

Two people charged with some of the most significant fraud, Rabbi Zalmen Sorotzkin and his wife, Tzipporah Sorotzkin, also appeared before the judge but were not among those seeking PTI, according to the Asbury Park Press report. Their attorney told the Asbury Park Press they intend to fight the charges.

Read more of the report here.

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