Brighton Beach resident charged with Medicaid fraud
BMWs, Porsches and Medicaid don't mix
Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes, Human Resources Administration Commissioner Robert Doar and Medicaid Inspector General James C. Cox on Wednesday announced the indictment of Kristina Zelinsky, 34, on charges of fraudulently collecting more than $25,000 in Medicaid benefits since 2003 by lying about her income and assets.
The joint investigation uncovered that Zelinsky lived in a luxury condo, owned several luxury cars, took vacations in Las Vegas and shopped at high-end stores.
“Public assistance funds are meant to help families who can’t afford basic needs, such as healthcare,” said D.A. Hynes. “People like this defendant may think she is committing a victimless crime. But, she and others who engage in this type of fraud are stealing thousands of dollars out of innocent people’s pockets.
According to the indictment, Zelinsky, who lived in Brighton Beach, filed her initial Medicaid application in 2003. She claimed she had no income independent of her husband, who made $22,000 annually.