Yonkers Medicaid fraudster pleads guilty

Carewell Ambulette Inc. and its owner, Kurien Palliankal, 48, of Yonkers, pleaded guilty this month to stealing more than $200,000 from the Medicaid program, state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced.

The company, formerly based in New Rochelle, provided transportation services to Medicaid recipients throughout Westchester and neighboring counties. Palliankal will be sentenced to six months in jail followed by five years of probation and will also be required to pay full restitution to Medicaid. In addition, Carewell Ambulette will be fined $10,000.

“This defendant lined his pockets with money that should have been used to provide medical care to patients in need,” Schneiderman said in the announcement. “Health care is of utmost importance to New Yorkers, and we will pursue anyone who steals the opportunity to receive these necessary services.”

Palliankal is due to be sentenced in Westchester County Court on Sept. 9.