Successful Case Analysis

No arrest of the client

Client: 40 year old father of two.

Initial Accusation: The NYC Human Resources Administration accused the client of inappropriately obtaining Medicaid Benefits valued at approximately One Hundred Thousand dollars ($100,000).

Key Problem: The client had a previous Felony Conviction for Grand Larceny in New York, on a similar set of facts, within the past 5 years.

Result: No referral by the agency's Fraud Investigation Unit, to the District Attorney’s Office.

My Office’s Approach The client had a previous Felony conviction for the same type of fraud. As a consequence my goal was to reach a resolution with the investigator as quickly as possible, without her referring the case to the DA’s office. Such a referral would have likely resulted in a state prison sentence for the client.

Result: No criminal charges brought, with no referral of the matter to the District Attorney’s Office. The client paid a reduced restitution amount directly to the Human Resources Administration of approximately half of the original amount sought by the Fraud Investigation Unit.

Final Analysis: The Fraud Investigation Unit is overworked. I was able to characterize the matter as more of an inappropriate accounting error, than criminal conduct. As a practical matter, I was able to speak the Investigator’s language persuasively and effectively. As a result, the Fraud Investigation Unit choose not to see this as criminal conduct and ultimately accepted a reduced financial settlement. A success in all respects, for the client and his family.