UPDATE: Medicaid transportation company operators plead guilty for roles in $2.1 million scheme
Three Medicaid transportation company operators who were indicted in July 2024 following an OMIG-assisted investigation pleaded guilty for their scheme to defraud the Medicaid program of more than $2.1 million.
Damir Yuldashev, 64, his son, Daler Yuldashev, 38, and Daler's mother, Nigina Iskandarova, 60, owners and operators of DYD Universe, Inc. (DYD), according to state prosecutors, admitted in Orange County Court that from April 2018 to March 2023 they submitted fraudulent Medicaid claims for services for fraudulent trips, adding fake tolls to the rides they provided and illegally paying kickbacks to Medicaid recipients to recruit more customers.
Damir Yuldashev pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the First Degree, a class B felony. Daler Yuldashev pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony. Nigina Iskandarova pleaded guilty to violating New York's anti-kickback statute, Social Services Law section 366-d, a class E felony. DYD also pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the First Degree.
Damir Yuldashev faces a sentence of two to six years in state prison, while Daler Yuldashev and Nigina Iskandarova will be sentenced to probation, with Daler Yuldashev required to perform at least 1,200 hours of community service. Damir and Daler Yuldashev must also pay $2.1 million in restitution or face additional time in state prison.
The defendants are also excluded from being a provider in all government-funded health programs, including Medicaid and Medicare.