Dr. Emmanuel “Manny” Hostin, husband of “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin, finds himself embroiled in one of New York’s largest-ever RICO cases.
The prominent orthopedic surgeon stands accused of participating in an elaborate insurance fraud scheme targeting taxi and rideshare companies.
The federal lawsuit was filed on Dec. 17.
It alleges that Dr. Hostin, along with nearly 200 other defendants, received kickbacks for performing questionable surgeries and submitting fraudulent bills to American Transit, an insurance company specializing in coverage for taxi and rideshare drivers.
Dr. Hostin allegedly provided “fraudulent medical and other healthcare services including arthroscopic surgeries,” according to court documents filed in Brooklyn federal court.
Daily Mail explained that the lawsuit claims these services were billed to American Transit in exchange for kickbacks, which were allegedly masked as dividends or other cash distributions.
The outlet further noted that the case centers around New York State’s “No-Fault Law,” which requires insurers to pay up to $50,000 for medical expenses resulting from road accidents.
“These substantial possible no-fault recoveries can incentivize providers with ill intent to over-diagnose, over-treat, and over-bill to recover the most money for themselves,” American Transit said.
Taxis and rideshare vehicles must carry coverage up to $200,000, however, making them particularly attractive targets for potential fraud.
Dr. Hostin, 54, who operates Hostin Orthopaedics near Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal, is specifically accused of receiving an “investment” interest in Empire State Ambulatory Surgery Center in exchange for patient referrals.
The lawsuit cites examples from January 2023 where Hostin allegedly performed unnecessary arthroscopic surgeries on patients involved in minor collisions.
Daily Mail outlined that through his attorney Daniel Thwaites, Dr. Hostin vehemently denies all allegations.
“Dr. Hostin has an impeccable record,” Thwaites stated, characterizing the lawsuit as a “blanket, scattershot, meritless lawsuit by a near-bankrupt insurance carrier” designed to intimidate doctors.
“It is meant to intimidate and harass doctors from collecting for care given to American Transit insureds and their passengers,” the attorney added.
“American Transit has rushed into the lawsuit without ever conducting an examination of Dr. Hostin or expressing any concerns to his lawyers.”
“The real story here is about an insurance carrier abusing the legal system to limit and restrict health care benefits to its insureds and their passengers, and write off its proper obligations,” Thwaites continued.
The case has drawn significant attention due to Dr. Hostin’s connection to his wife Sunny, 56, a prominent ABC News legal correspondent and co-host of “The View.”
The couple, married since 1998, resides in a luxurious estate in Purchase, New York, with their two children.
American Transit is seeking more than $450 million in damages, claiming the alleged fraud scheme has destabilized New York City’s livery insurance market and increased premiums for taxi and rideshare drivers.
