DA: Woman on Medicaid lived in $2.4M NYC home
Nov 14, 2013, 7:16 PM
NEW YORK (AP) – A New York City prosecutor says a 34-year-old woman collected nearly $50,000 in Medicaid benefits while living in a $2.4 million home.
Hasime Lika (hah-SEE’-may LEE’-kah) was indicted Thursday.
Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes says Lika hid her luxury lifestyle _ enjoying a Staten Island mansion with a pool while claiming to live in Williamsburg.
Hynes says the defendant used her maiden name to file for benefits under Medicaid, a program for New Yorkers who can’t afford medical care.
But Hynes says she normally uses the last name of her common law husband. Authorities say he owns 14 rental properties and has assets of more than $5 million.
Lika was awaiting arraignment and it wasn’t clear yet whether she had an attorney. A call to the Staten Island home rang unanswered.
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