Buffalo doctor charged as part of nationwide $14B health care fraud takedown

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo doctor has been charged as part of a $14.6 billion health care fraud takedown across the United States.

Joel Durinka, who is from Orchard Park, is accused of billing Medicare approximately $29.6 million for fraudulent orders for body braces "without regard for the braces' medical necessities," according to the U.S. Department of Justice. In addition, he is accused of billing Medicare another $5.6 million for audio-only telehealth visits that were either brief or did not occur at all.

Finally, he is accused of producing and maintaining false and fake medical records.

Durinka is charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and false statements relating to health care matters, and health care fraud. The U.S. government has seized $325,683 from him. If convicted, his medical license could be revoked.

Durinka is among 324 people, including 96 doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other licensed medical professionals charged as part of the fraud takedown, which involves cases in 32 states and Washington, D.C. The Western District of New York is prosecuting three cases: Durinka's, one involving 50-year-old Enaame Farrell from Milton, Ontario and one involving 27-year-old Kevin Whitman of the Rochester area. Farrell was charged civilly.

"Telemedicine changed the playing field," U.S. Attorney Michael DiGicomo said Monday. "It's difficult to substantiate these cases, it often takes a long period of time ... there's more nuanced layers."

The government has seized over $245 million in cash, luxury cars, cryptocurrency and other assets "as part of the coordinated enforcement efforts" across the country.

"These cases do not happen without the doctor. Because at the end of the day the doctor is the one who signs the prescription form," DiGicomo said. "We believe the doctors are one of the most culpable in this because without their prescription, nothing happens."

Other local charges and lawsuits

In addition, three Western New York transportation services have been sued in Erie County Supreme Court. Buffalo Taxi Services Inc., based in Amherst, and its owner, 34-year-old Aws Almafrachi, has been sued for allegedly submitting claims to Medicaid for over $560,000 for transportation services that did not have any corresponding medical appointment. A second company, Green Cab BNY Inc., based in Cheektowaga, and its owner, 40-year-old William Mills, were also sued for $2.385 million for allegedly overinflating milage on transportation service claims. SMI Transportation, based in Buffalo, and its owner, 38-year-old Payam Jalal were also sued for allegedly overinflating milage on transportation service claims. That lawsuit seeks a total of $96,827.

A Buffalo man, 46-year-old Dajuan Strickland, was charged in North Carolina for allegedly purchasing and selling Medicaid numbers "without lawful authority."

Finally, 45-year-old Majjahid Huq has been charged in connection for allegedly billing Medicaid $2.1 million for drugs that were not dispensed. Huq owned several pharmacies in Buffalo and New York City.