Medicaid fraud scheme resulted in $1.8M in losses to the state

A Wethersfield woman has pleaded guilty in a scheme which prosecutors say resulted in $1.8 million in fraudulent Medicaid claims.

Suhail Aponte, 38, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. She is also a former state employee.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Aponte was the principal of Cornerstone Behavior Therapy Services, an Autism Specialist Group, which was registered with the state of Connecticut in June 2021.  

Beginning in November of that year, Aponte, who is not a licensed provider, was involved in a scheme in which she and a co-conspirator began submitting fraudulent claims for applied behavior analysis services to children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.  

Prosecutors alleged that company payroll records indicate employees were not compensated for the billed services, and parents of patients and former employees of the company also confirmed the services did not occur.

Between November 2021 and January 2025, Aponte and her co-conspirator submitted fraudulent claims that resulted in a loss of approximately $1,876,617 to the Connecticut Department of Social Services.

From May 2022 until November 2024, Aponte was also employed by the state of Connecticut in the Office of Policy and Management.

As part of her guilty plea, Aponte has agreed to the forfeiture of approximately $459,000 in funds seized from various bank accounts she controlled, as well as her interest in additional bank accounts and two parcels of land in Hartford.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 30.