Queens Dentist Charged In Alleged Medicaid Fraud Scheme: What To Know

QUEENS, NY — New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the arrest of a Queens dentist accused of stealing more than $300,000 from Medicaid by submitting false claims for dental procedures he allegedly never performed.

Suleman Nasimi, 46, through his Tooth Fresh Meadows practice, billed Medicaid for hundreds of procedures between January 2020 and August 2024, including root canals and porcelain crown installations.

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Investigators allege that some procedures were billed on days when Nasimi was out of the country, including a period in July 2022 when he allegedly billed more than $140,000 while on vacation in England, France and Greece.

Fraudsters who steal from Medicaid with fake billing schemes put vulnerable New Yorkers at risk by making it harder for them to get the care they need," James said.

"All New Yorkers deserve quality dental care, and my office will not tolerate dentists who put personal greed before their patients. We will continue to ensure that Medicaid fraudsters are held accountable and criminally prosecuted when they break the law."

The alleged false claims affected at least 35 Medicaid recipients.

The Attorney General's Office said some patients were later unable to receive needed dental treatment because Medicaid records showed the procedures had already been performed and paid for.

Nasimi and Tooth Fresh Meadows were arraigned before Judge Jennifer Saint-Preux on 40-count felony complaints.

Both were charged with grand larceny, health care fraud and offering a false instrument for filing. Nasimi faces a maximum of five to 15 years in state prison if convicted on the top count.