Rostislav Vilshteyn, a.k.a. Steve, 33, of Staten Island, New York, was convicted of second-degree health care claims fraud and third-degree Medicaid fraud. The conviction follows a three-week jury trial in front of Superior Court Judge Thomas R. Vena in Essex County. The charges were contained in a May 11, 2010 state grand jury indictment. Vilshteyn was the owner and operator of the Bloomfield Health Pavilion LLC (BHP), formerly located at 86 Bloomfield Avenue in Newark.

Judge Vena scheduled sentencing for March 16. Second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison and a criminal fine of $150,000, while the crime of third-degree Medicaid fraud carries a maximum sentence of three years in state prison and a criminal fine of $10,000.

“Mr. Vilshteyn’s conduct not only defrauded taxpayers, but it also prevented certain patients of BHP from receiving the treatment they needed,” Attorney General Chiesa said. “The Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute such crimes, to protect both patients and taxpayers.”

In convicting Vilshteyn, the jury determined that between October 2006 and January 2008, as the owner and operator of BHP, Vilshteyn submitted or caused to be submitted to the Medicaid program claims for reimbursement for counseling services for numerous Medicaid beneficiaries, even though the services had either not been provided or had not been provided to the extent alleged in the claims.

“Congratulations to the entire Medicaid Fraud Control Unit under the leadership of Chief Nicole Rizzolo,” Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Ronald Chillemi said. “We will devote whatever resources are necessary to bring criminals such as Mr. Vilshteyn to justice.”

Deputy Attorneys General Dolores Blackburn and David Noble represented the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, at the trial. Detective Laura Pezzuti and Analyst B’leia Williams were assigned to the investigation. Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Chillemi thanked Investigator Joseph Varone and Nurse Investigator Janet Keenan of the Office of the State Comptroller, Medicaid Fraud Division, as well as Analyst James Harris of the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services for their assistance in the investigation.

Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Chillemi noted that some important cases have started with anonymous tips. People who are concerned about insurance cheating and have information about a fraud can report it anonymously by calling the toll-free hotline 1-877-55-FRAUD or visiting the Web site www.njinsurancefraud.org. State regulations permit an award to be paid to an eligible person who provides information that leads to an arrest, prosecution and conviction for insurance fraud.