The owner of a Saratoga County Medicaid Transportation Company was arrested for allegedly stealing more than $700,000 from the state Medicaid program over a four-year period, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Saratoga County District Attorney Brett R. Eby, Saratoga County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Brown, and Acting Medicaid Inspector General Frank T. Walsh Jr. announced today. The defendant, Rohan Crosdale, owner of Smart Choice Temp Agency Inc., was charged with two counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, and one count of Prohibited Practices.
“Rohan Crosdale allegedly tried to siphon off over $700,000 in Medicaid dollars for his own purposes, enriching himself at the expense of taxpayers,” DiNapoli said. “Medicaid provides vital services for millions of New Yorkers, and I will continue to work with law enforcement across the state to safeguard it from fraud, waste and abuse. I thank District Attorney Eby, Sheriff Brown and Medicaid Inspector General Walsh for their partnership in this investigation.”
“Medicaid fraud diverts taxpayer dollars from the people and families who rely on these essential services,” Eby said. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold those who exploit the system accountable and protect the integrity of public programs.”
“The arrest of Mr. Crosdale, who has been accused of stealing taxpayer dollars by fraud, represents an excellent example of state and county law enforcement working together to combat this fraudulent behavior,” Brown said. “I would like to commend the work of Saratoga County Sheriff's Office Investigator Anthony Pirrone, the Saratoga County District Attorney's Office along with the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General and the State Comptroller's investigative teams, who worked hard to bring this investigation to a conclusion.”
“Medicaid transportation fraud is not simply a matter of paperwork errors – it is far more about exploiting recipients and putting their health and safety at risk while driving up taxpayer costs," Walsh said. "These egregious acts turn transportation services – a vital lifeline access to services – into a scheme for personal gain. My office will continue to work closely with the State Comptroller’s office and our other partners to root out fraud, waste and abuse at every corner and hold wrongdoers accountable.”
In May 2024, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office contacted DiNapoli’s office for assistance with an investigation into Smart Choice Temp Agency for allegedly fraudulently billing Medicaid for transportation services. An investigation and forensic audit was commenced which determined that Smart Choice allegedly fraudulently billed the Medicaid program for over $700,000 in fraudulent trips using various schemes including for rides that did not occur.
The alleged fraud totaled $714,663.95, investigators determined.
Crosdale, 40, of Ballston Spa, has been enrolled as a Medicaid provider since February 2020, and is the sole owner of the company. He appeared before Judge James R. Davis in Saratoga County Court. He is due back in court on Nov. 25.
This case is being prosecuted by Special Investigations Bureau Chief Meghan Horton and Senior Assistant District Attorney Andreanna Diliberto.
The charges filed in this case are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has committed to fighting public corruption and encourages the public to help fight fraud and abuse. New Yorkers can report allegations of fraud involving taxpayer money by calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-888-672-4555, by filing a complaint online at https://www.osc.state.ny.us/investigations, or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 8th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.