Lateral Attorney: Investigate & Prosecute Financial Fraud(3726)

Division of Criminal Justice

Medicaid Fraud Control Unit – New York City

Special Assistant Attorney General

Reference No. MFCU_NYC_SAAG_3726

Application Deadline is December 27, 2024

The Office of the New York State Attorney General’s (OAG) Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) seeks attorneys with experience prosecuting and/or investigating complex financial wrongdoing to serve as Special Assistant Attorneys General in its New York City office. MFCU attorneys lead collaborative, team-based investigations with the Unit’s forensic accountants/auditors, detectives, and analysts to identify and prosecute financial fraud in the healthcare industry and abuse and neglect of residents in healthcare facilities, present evidence to grand juries, and conduct evidentiary hearings and trials in New York State courts.

The Medicaid program provides health coverage to millions of New Yorkers, including low-income persons, children, elderly adults, and people with developmental disabilities. MFCU is the nation’s premier law enforcement agency charged with ensuring the financial integrity of New York State’s $100 billion Medicaid program by investigating healthcare providers, such as pharmaceutical companies, doctors, hospitals, and nursing homes, who engage in Medicaid billing schemes that cause harm to Medicaid recipients and the loss of millions of dollars to the State of New York. MFCU also works to protect elderly and disabled New Yorkers by investigating reports of abuse and neglect in nursing homes and other residential health care facilities in the state.

Possessing both civil and criminal enforcement powers, MFCU uses various state laws to bring civil actions and criminal proceedings, including asset forfeiture actions. Many of the Unit’s investigations are conducted in coordination with other federal, state, or local government and prosecutorial agencies, and have resulted in large-scale criminal convictions and the recovery of millions of dollars of taxpayer money.

Several recent matters that highlight MFCU’s important work include the OAG’s report concerning neglect of nursing home residents across New York State during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent filing of four major lawsuits against nursing homes, including Centers Health Care, Cold Spring Hills Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center, and Fulton Commons Care Center, Inc.

Additional recent significant cases include the indictment and arraignment of the owner of an NYC pharmacy for allegedly stealing millions from Medicaid; the sentencing of a Bronx clinic owner for defrauding New York State out of more than $4 Million in false Medicaid claims; and the extradition, arrest, and arraignment of a Medicaid fraud ringleader.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of four (4) years of practice experience, including grand jury, trial, and/or substantial complex business litigation practice that must include criminal practice experience and preferably includes the investigation and prosecution of financial crimes;
• Prior experience drafting and overseeing the execution of search and eavesdropping warrants is desirable;
• Excellent analytical, legal research, writing, and organizational skills;
• Sound judgment with the ability to articulate the critical issues in a case accurately and concisely;
• Strong communication and teamwork skills and the ability to work independently and as a member of a team, including fostering productive and collaborative relationships with staff at all levels of the organization;
• Technology proficiency that preferably includes a knowledge of and comfort using Microsoft Office applications; and
• Familiarity with case management software and eDiscovery platforms is a plus.

Applicants must reside in (or intend to soon become a resident of) New York State and be admitted to practice law in New York State. In addition, the Public Officers Law requires that OAG attorneys be citizens of the United States. A two (2) year commitment upon being hired is a condition of employment.

As an employee of the OAG, you will join a team of dedicated individuals who work to serve the people of our State through a wide variety of occupations. To learn more about Assistant Attorney General compensation, please visit the following page: https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/assistant_attorney_general_compensation.pdf. We offer a comprehensive New York State benefits package, including paid leave, health, dental, vision, and retirement benefits, and family-friendly policies. Additionally, the OAG offers a robust Workplace Flexibilities Program with multiple options for employees, including telecommuting (up to two days per week) and alternative work schedules.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

The OAG is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to workplace diversity.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications must be submitted online. To apply, please visit our careers website: www.ag.ny.gov/job-postings/attorneys

To ensure consideration, applications must be received by close of business on December 27, 2024.

Applicants must be prepared to submit a complete application consisting of the following:

• Cover Letter
• You may address your letter to the Legal Recruitment Unit.
• Indicate why you are interested in this position and what makes you a strong candidate. You may wish to include information about what life experiences you will bring to the position that will enhance MFCU’s ability to better serve the diverse population of this state.
• Resume
• Legal Writing Sample
• List of three references
• Only submit professional references, supervisory references are preferred.
• For each reference, indicate the nature and duration of your relationship.
• Include contact information and email addresses for each reference.
• Please note that your references will not be contacted until after you interview for the position.

If you have questions regarding a position with the OAG and the application process or need assistance with submitting your application, please contact Legal Recruitment via email at recruitment@ag.ny.gov or phone at 212-416-8080.

For more information about the OAG, please visit our website: www.ag.ny.gov