AG Moody’s MFCU Investigators Uncover Medicaid Fraud Scheme Impacting Thousands Leading to Arrest of Florida Dentist and Husband

View PDF
Release Date
Nov 3, 2023
Contact
Kylie Mason
Phone
(850) 245-0150

Medicaid fraud

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody today announced the arrest of a Florida dentist and her husband, a co-owner of a dental practice. Marianna Zadov, DDS, and Shimon Leizgold, also known as Simon Leizgold, own and operate at least seven dental offices located throughout Florida’s southeast and southwest coasts. Investigators with Attorney General Moody’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit discovered that, for a period of years, Zadov and Leizgold systematically engaged in a scheme to defraud and steal from Florida Medicaid and thousands of recipients.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This couple deceived more than 5,000 patients by overcharging them with fraudulent fees for dental services, including extractions, fillings and more. Thanks to my MFCU investigators and our law enforcement partners, their fraudulent scheme causing more $1.5 million worth of fraud is capped.”

According to the investigation, Zadov and Leizgold orchestrated a complex scheme charging patients for services covered by Medicaid and then stole from the program itself. The defendants collected fees from Medicaid recipients for covered services, collected fees over and above authorized copayment amounts and collected payment from Medicaid for services never rendered. The investigation identified more than $1.5 million worth of fraud encompassing more than 5,000 Medicaid recipients.

The offices Zadov and Leizgold operated include the following:

  • Happy Smiles in Port St. Lucie and Fort Myers;
  • Elite Dental in Jupiter; 
  • Polo Dental in Boca Raton, Naples and West Palm Beach; 
  • Royal Dental in Boynton Beach.

The defendants are charged with one count each of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act, a first-degree felony; conspiracy to commit RICO, a first-degree felony; grand theft, a second-degree felony; Medicaid fraud, a second-degree felony; and Medicaid fraud as a third-degree felony.  

Attorney General Moody’s MFCU for the southern region will prosecute the case through the Office of Statewide Prosecution. Asset forfeitures will be handled by Attorney General Moody’s Asset Forfeiture Unit.

# # #

The Florida Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigates and prosecutes providers that intentionally defraud the state’s Medicaid program through fraudulent billing practices. Medicaid fraud essentially steals from Florida’s taxpayers. Additionally, the MFCU investigates allegations of patient abuse, neglect, and exploitation in facilities receiving payments under the Medicaid program.

The Florida MFCU is funded through a grant totaling $29,707,695 for Federal Fiscal Year 2024, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General. The Federal Share of these funds is 75% totaling $22,280,772. The State Matching Share of these funds is 25% totaling $7,426,923 and is funded by Florida.