Union Co. Man Admits Role In $11M Healthcare Fraud Scheme To Defraud Amtrak

ELIZABETH, NJ — A Union County man and Amtrak employee admitted participating in a $11 million health care fraud scheme to defraud Amtrak, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced on Tuesday.

Anthony Saloka, 44, of Elizabeth, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

From January 2019 through June 2022, Saloka allowed his personal and health insurance information to be used to submit fraudulent claims for services to get kickbacks from healthcare providers, according to documents filed in this case and statements made in court.

Saloka received thousands of dollars in cash kickbacks for his participation in the scheme, including from co-conspirators Punson Figueroa, an acupuncturist, and Michael DeNicola, a podiatrist, said authorities.

In total, the Amtrak health care plan paid more than $11 million as a result of fraudulent claims.

Figueroa previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and was sentenced on Sept. 24, 2024, to 34 months in prison. DeNicola previously pleaded guilty on June 29, 2022, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud, among other offenses. His sentencing remains pending.

Saloka faces a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest for the healthcare fraud conspiracy charge.

Sentencing for Saloka is scheduled for June 4.

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