Ghost Rides Bilk Medicaid — Kickbacks Exposed

Stethoscope pen document about Medicaid eligibility on table

New York officials say a Medicaid transport ring billed for ghost rides and kickbacks, raising fresh alarms about taxpayer abuse.

Story Snapshot

State investigators announced four arrests tied to alleged fake Medicaid transportation billing and kickbacks ^[1].
Officials say the companies billed for rides that never happened and inflated charges ^[1].
The announced loss figure is “more than $1.6 million,” not $38 million for this case ^[1].
Large Medicaid fraud cases elsewhere show similar tactics and much bigger totals ^[3].

Arrests Tied to Alleged Ghost Rides and Kickbacks

New York’s Comptroller, the Albany County District Attorney, the State Police, and the Acting Medicaid Inspector General announced four arrests in an alleged Medicaid transport scam. Officials named Jawad Choudhary, Junaid Choudhary, Danya Matthew, and Kenneth Smith. They linked the case to three companies: A1 Rides Inc., NY Jet Transport Inc., and Ride to Recovery Corp. Investigators allege false claims for rides that never occurred, inflated charges, and illegal kickbacks to patients to drive billing volume ^[1].

The agencies said a joint probe and forensic audit flagged patterns across the three firms that suggest a coordinated effort to overbill Medicaid. The announcement describes claims for “individual rides” that were actually unauthorized group trips, and other billing that auditors say did not match real services. Prosecutors charged grand larceny counts. The release stresses the charges are accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent. The state has not released the detailed complaint or audit workpapers at this time ^[1].

Sorting Claims: $1.6 Million Case vs. $38 Million Narratives

Some posts online tie this arrest wave to a $38 million figure and to Democratic political ties. The official record in this case cites “more than $1.6 million,” not $38 million. That larger dollar amount appears in other adult day care fraud actions reported elsewhere and should not be mixed into this transport case without proof. Clear numbers matter. Inflated claims hand critics an easy attack and can weaken real oversight wins for taxpayers ^[1].

Federal prosecutors have charged other New York health fraud schemes with large totals and familiar methods. One federal complaint alleges illegal kickbacks, bribes, and billing for services that were medically unnecessary or not provided, with about $120 million paid out. That case shows how kickbacks, bogus sign-in sheets, and capacity overages can fuel big losses. It also shows why investigators now focus on patterns, not one-off errors, when they follow the money ^[3].

Why This Matters to Taxpayers and Patients

Every fake ride drains funds from seniors, disabled patients, and families who need real care. Fraud also pushes premiums and taxes higher. When bad actors pay patients to lend an insurance number, they corrupt the system and invite more waste. Conservative readers see the core issue: government must guard public dollars with tight controls, simple rules, and fast enforcement, so honest providers can serve patients without competing with cheaters ^[1].

🚨🇺🇸 Feds bust $38 million Medicaid scam in Brooklyn, run by prominent Pakistani-American civic leader Pervez Siddiqui and 7 others.

The scheme allegedly used 2 adult day care centers to enroll Medicaid-recipient seniors who never attended; paid recruiters kickbacks for… pic.twitter.com/We2A7BWSof

— NewsForce (@Newsforce) June 18, 2026

Trump-era agencies have raised pressure on health fraud nationwide, but states still manage day-to-day Medicaid spending. New York’s multi-agency action here is a step. Next steps should include public release of charging papers, redacted claims samples, and audit methods. That sunlight helps citizens judge the facts, keeps politics out, and deters copycat schemes. If the evidence holds up, the state should seek full restitution and permanent removal from Medicaid networks ^[1].

What to Watch Next

Court filings will show how investigators calculated losses and traced payments. Defense filings may challenge ride logs, GPS data, or patient statements. If prosecutors can match claims to clinic appointments, driver routes, and beneficiary interviews, the case grows stronger. If not, loss totals could shrink. Voters should demand accurate numbers, quick case work, and recovery of every dollar. That is basic stewardship, and it protects limited government by restoring trust in core programs ^[1].