NEWARK, N.J. — An Amtrak employee in New Jersey has become the latest to plead guilty to participation in a health-care fraud scheme that led more than $11 million in fraudulent claims against the passenger carrier’s insurance.
Anthony Saloka, 44, of Elizabeth, N.J., pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Feb. 11, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of New Jersey announced. Saloka reportedly received thousands of dollars in kickbacks in a scheme involving health-care providers including who submitted false claims using information provided by current and former Amtrak employees [see “Seventeen Amtrak employees resign …,” Trains News Wire, Oct. 16, 2024].
One of those providers, New York acupuncturist Punson Figueroa, has been sentenced to 34 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $9 million in restitution. New Jersey doctor Muhammad Mirza has been sentenced to 26 months in prison for his part in the scheme [see “New Jersey doctor sentenced …,” News Wire, May 7, 2024]. Podiatrist Michael DeNicola has also pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge; his sentencing is pending.
Saloka faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 4, 2025.
