Three people and two companies have been indicted for stealing more than $3.5 million from New York State’s Medicaid program in what officials are calling the largest Medicaid fraud case ever prosecuted by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
The charges were announced Monday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler. The suspects allegedly submitted thousands of false transportation claims between 2020 and 2024, billing Medicaid for trips that never happened or inflating the number of rides.
“This investigation uncovered broad and blatant fraud that undermines the critical services these defendants purported to provide,” said Hoovler. “This is the largest Medicaid fraud scheme ever prosecuted by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.”
Married couple accused of masterminding the scheme
Rohail Raja and Sharma Alam, both 45, of New Windsor, were arraigned on November 10 and charged with Grand Larceny in the First Degree and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree. Prosecutors say the couple used their two companies — Unique Class Limo, Inc. and SNR Limo, Inc. — to submit fraudulent Medicaid transportation claims for more than four years.
According to court documents, the couple billed the state for trips that were never taken and filed separate claims for group rides — making it appear that each person was transported individually, when in fact multiple passengers rode together.
Authorities say the false billing spanned from February 2020 through September 2024.
Co-defendant accused of aiding the fraud
On November 18, Ari Manojkumar, 33, of Highland, was also arraigned and charged with Grand Larceny in the First Degree and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree. Investigators allege he helped carry out the fraud by delivering cash to drivers and Medicaid recipients, and by assisting in the submission of false claims.
He was remanded to jail without bail.
According to the indictment, Manojkumar managed drivers and helped the companies make it appear as though Medicaid recipients had attended medical appointments when records showed no such visits occurred.
“Ari Manojkumar allegedly conspired to scam the Medicaid Program out of nearly $3 million dollars meant to promote the health of deserving New Yorkers,” DiNapoli said. “My office will continue to aggressively work with law enforcement to root out fraud in the Medicaid Program and hold offenders responsible.”
Joint investigation led to search and seizure
The investigation was led by the Orange County DA’s Office and the Office of the State Comptroller, with help from several law enforcement agencies including the Sheriff’s Office, Drug Task Force, and White Collar Crimes Taskforce. Investigators also worked with the State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General and the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center.
A court-approved search warrant was executed at Raja and Alam’s home in New Windsor, where investigators seized records tied to the scheme.
An auditor with the Comptroller’s Office uncovered millions in payments to the companies for transportation to medical appointments that did not take place. Auditors also discovered widespread misuse of Medicaid funds through double-billing for shared rides.
Case remains open
Both companies — Unique Class Limo and SNR Limo — have also been indicted. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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