Bronx Dentist Admits To Billing Medicaid For Treating Dead Patient

Attorney General Spitzer today announced that Dr. Dawer Nadi, who practices on Webster Avenue in the Bronx, pleaded guilty to fraudulently billing Medicaid for dental services rendered to a patient who had died before the claimed "services" were rendered.

Nadi, 46, of 29 Terra Mar Drive in Huntington, Long Island, appeared on March 22 before Bronx Criminal Court Judge John N. Bryne and pleaded guilty to first-degree offering a false instrument, a Class E felony. In addition, Nadi agreed to repay $400,000 to the Medicaid program to resolve allegations that he was reimbursed for services not rendered to Medicaid recipients over a seven-year period.

Sentencing has been set for September 22. A negotiated plea agreement calls for Nadi to be sentenced to six months in jail and five years’ probation.

According to the charges filed at the time of his arrest in November 2004, Nadi, from June 1997 to May 2004, fraudulently submitted reimbursement claims for dental services he never provided to Medicaid recipients, including billings for deceased individuals.

The case against Dr. Nadi is part of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit’s ongoing investigation of the provision of dental services, which, since 2001, has resulted in criminal charges against 43 defendants. Thirty-six cases have been completed to date, all resulting in convictions and court-imposed restitution totaling more than $4 million.

Attorney General Spitzer thanked the State Department of Health for referring the matter to his office.

Spitzer noted that his office has referred the case to the State Education Department’s Office of the Professions for a review of Nadi’s dental license.

Mark P. Cannon, a Special Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit’s (MFCU) New York City Regional Office, and Special Assistant Attorney General Paul Mahoney, Chief of MFCU’s Civil Enforcement Section, handled the case. Special Investigator Victor Maldonado and Associate Special Auditor Investigator Sandy Bizzarro assisted in the investigation.