Great Neck couple charged with Medicaid fraud

Shahram Sharif, 45, of Great Neck, and his wife, Flora Mounessa, 39, were arrested Feb. 21, 2014, on fraud and other charges for allegedly claiming more than $70,000 in Medicaid benefits while banking about $2.7 million in income, the Nassau district attorney's office said. Credit: NCDA
A Great Neck couple faces fraud and other charges after authorities said they claimed more than $70,000 in Medicaid benefits while banking about $2.7 million in income.
The Nassau County district attorney's office identified the defendants as dentist Flora Mounessa, 39, and her husband, Shahram Sharif, 45, who works in real estate.
The couple was arrested Friday. Authorities said each faces up to 15 years in prison.
Their attorney could not be immediately reached. Mounessa's dental practice is in Hollis, Queens.
Prosecutors said the defendants received Medicaid benefits by fraudulently reporting their annual household income was between about $23,000 and $31,000.
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