SHARE

Dentist Involved In Stamford Medicaid Fraud Scheme Pleads Guilty

POUND RIDGE, N.Y. -- A Pound Ridge dentist pleaded guilty to charges of Medicaid fraud on Wednesday, according to United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Deirdre M. Daly.

A Pound Ridge dentist pleaded guilty to charges of Medicaid fraud on Wednesday.

A Pound Ridge dentist pleaded guilty to charges of Medicaid fraud on Wednesday.

Photo Credit: File

Mehran Zamani, 50, was hired by Gary Anusavice  to work at Landmark Dental in the fall of 2008. Anusavice is a convicted felon and therefore is excluded from being a Medicare provider, the U.S. attorney said. 

In early 2009, Zamani signed an application for Landmark Dental to become a Medicaid provider, but  failed to disclose that Anusavice had an ownership interest in Landmark Dental.

Zamani followed the same procedure for two other practices owned, including one in Stamford, Conn., in part by Anusavice and was able to submit nearly $21 million in Medicaid claims, the U.S. attorney said. 

Zamani pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing the administration of a federal health care program and will be sentenced on July 6. He faces up to three years in prison. 

Zamani also signed a settlement agreement that resolved pending civil matters with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the State of Connecticut. He agreed to pay $200,000, forfeit a dental office he owned at 18 Madison Street in Hartford, and give up all rights to approximately $1.9 million in Medicaid dollars that had been suspended by the Connecticut Department of Social Services, the U.S. attorney said. 

Anusavice pleaded guilty to health care fraud and tax evasion offenses stemming from his involvement in this scheme and was sentenced to more than eight years in prison. 

to follow Daily Voice Stamford and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE