Orange County Indictment Alleges More Than Three Million Dollar Medicaid Fraud

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler and New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced on November 18 that state and county investigators had secured an indictment alleging a multi year scheme to defraud New York State Medicaid of more than $3.5 million. The indictment names Rohail Raja and Sharma Alam of the Town of New Windsor and co defendant Ari Manojkumar of Highland, along with two corporate defendants, Unique Class Limo, Inc. and SNR Limo, Inc.

Prosecutors say the defendants billed Medicaid for transportation trips that either did not occur or were misreported, including claims that multiple separate trips took place when multiple clients were transported together. The alleged scheme is reported to have run from February 1, 2020 through September 30, 2024. Arraignments in the matter began on November 10, and a co defendant was arraigned on November 18, according to the county statement. The release included bail and remand information.

The investigation reflects a coordinated response by multiple agencies. Participating law enforcement teams include the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the Office of the New York State Comptroller, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Orange County Drug Taskforce, the Orange County White Collar Crimes Taskforce, the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General, and the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center. The DA’s office also asked anyone with information to contact investigators and directed readers to the county press release for full details.

Local ramifications of the alleged fraud extend beyond criminal charges. Medicaid transportation is a critical service for elderly and disabled residents who rely on timely, safe rides to medical appointments. The loss of more than $3.5 million to alleged fraud can strain public resources and prompt closer scrutiny of vendor contracting and claims auditing. For taxpayers in Orange County the case highlights how oversight gaps can translate into reduced capacity for other public programs and services.

Institutionally the case underscores the role that state level financial oversight can play in local prosecutions. The involvement of the state comptroller and the Medicaid Inspector General signals a focus on reclaiming improperly paid funds and strengthening controls over billing practices. For local elected officials and candidates, the case is likely to be raised in discussions about accountability for public dollars and the adequacy of monitoring systems.

Civic engagement will be important as the case proceeds. Prosecutors have invited community members with information to come forward, and the public can review the full county press release on the Orange County Government website. For residents who use or arrange transportation under Medicaid the indictment will likely prompt questions about safeguards, vendor vetting, and how county and state agencies will prevent similar abuses in the future.