Lackawanna Man Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud in Medicaid Transportation Scheme

A Lackawanna man has admitted to defrauding the Medicaid program by falsely inflating transportation claims, leading to a financial loss of more than $95,000.

Munef Fadhel, 37, pleaded guilty to health care fraud before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr., according to an announcement by Acting U.S. Attorney Joel L. Violanti. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Fadhel was the owner of Great Lake Transportation, Inc., a company that provided transportation services to Medicaid beneficiaries. Prosecutors said that between June 2017 and December 2020, he submitted fraudulent reimbursement claims, misrepresenting shared rides as individual trips to receive higher payments from Medicaid.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, led by Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the New York State Department of Financial Services, overseen by Superintendent Adrienne A. Harris.

Fadhel is scheduled for sentencing on August 19, 2025, before Judge Sinatra.