Bellmore Therapist Charged In Fraud Scheme: US Attorney

BROOKLYN, NY — Nine therapists are accused of running a scheme to defraud a program for developmentally disabled children, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Jeanette Monclova, 69, from North Bellmore, is among the therapists arrested. They are accused of stealing more than $3 million from the New York State Early Intervention Program (EIP), including more than $993,000 from Medicaid and more than $1,998,000 from the New York City Departmet of Health and Mental Hygiene, the office of Breon Peace, US Attorney, Eastern District of New York, said.

The nine defendants were taken into custody Tuesday and were scheduled to make their first appearance before the US chief magistrate judge in the afternoon.

"As alleged, the defendants exploited disabled infants and toddlers, the youngest
and most vulnerable among us, to enrich themselves by millions of dollars," Peace said in a statement. "This Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to vigorously
protect government programs from fraud and abuse that not only hurts taxpayers, but also
deprives developmentally delayed children from receiving much-needed services."

As set forth in the complaint, between Jan. 1, 2015 and June 30, 2019, the
therapists are accused of submitting fraudulent documentation for thousands of EIP therapy sessions that never took place. They collectively received millions of dollars as payments for
these non-existent EIP therapy sessions, according to the complaint.

"These nine defendants not only stole more than $3.3 million in public funds but also robbed more than 200 New York City children of essential Early Intervention services they were entitled to receive, according to the charges," Margaret Garnett, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation, said.

If convicted, they each face a statutory maximum of 10 years of imprisonment.