Full Breakdown
New York AG Candidate Accuses Letitia James of Declining Medicaid Fraud Recoveries
6/28/2026, 4:58:59 AM
Recovery Trends
New York’s Medicaid fraud recoveries fell from $168 million in 2019, James’s first year, to $31 million in 2024, per the AG’s reports. By contrast, Eliot Spitzer’s unit recovered $243.6 million in 2006; Andrew Cuomo’s office secured $113.8 million (2007), $263.5 million (2008) and $283 million (2009), totaling over $660 million in three years; Eric Schneiderman recovered $335 million in 2012. Under James, criminal convictions dropped from roughly 100 annually to eight in a year, while spending on the fraud-recovery program rose from $45 million in FY 2020 to $70 million in FY 2025.
Official Statements & Federal Review
Komatireddy proposes adding 20 criminal prosecutors to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. She cites a letter from CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz to Gov. Kathy Hochul requesting details on provider screening and fraud-prevention, indicating federal scrutiny. The incumbent AG’s office has not responded to comment requests.
Criticism & Opposition
Komatireddy argues James’s office has not pursued Medicaid fraud aggressively, noting recoveries fell from $168 million in 2019 to $31 million in 2024. She says criminal convictions dropped from about 100 per year to eight in a single year, contending that lax enforcement raises health-care costs and may force tax increases.
Conflicting Reports
The recovery figures cited come from James’s own reports; independent verification is not provided. The claim of eight convictions lacks corroborating court data. The AG office’s lack of comment leaves the accuracy of the criticism unconfirmed.
Verbatim Quotes
- "They're totally failing to prosecute Medicaid fraud, and you can look at that based solely on the record of Letitia James and her Democratic predecessors." — Saritha Komatireddy, AG candidate
- "Even her Democratic predecessors used to bring in $200 to $300 million per year in fraudulent proceeds." — Saritha Komatireddy
- "Under Tish James, that number is very low. There's one year where she got eight criminal convictions." — Saritha Komatireddy
- "It's New Yorkers who pay the price, because when people steal from Medicaid, that increases our healthcare costs." — Saritha Komatireddy
Outlook
Komatireddy frames the race as a choice between a career law-enforcement prosecutor and an incumbent she says has deprioritized fraud enforcement. Her pledge to add prosecutors and the federal CMS review are presented as key issues for voters as the campaign continues.
