Regional Director/Supervising Attorney

Division of Criminal Justice Medicaid Fraud Control Unit—Buffalo Region Regional Director/Supervising Attorney Reference No.
MFCU_BUF_RD_3645 Application Deadline is February 9, 2024 Management/Leadership Opportunity for Experienced Attorneys The Office of the New York State Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) is seeking an attorney with substantial investigatory experience to lead the Buffalo Regional Office, which serves eight counties in Western New York.
This position reports to the Director and Deputy of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and is based in Buffalo.
The scope of MFCU’s mission includes the following: • Working in coordination with other state, federal, or local government prosecutorial agencies and utilizing the New York State Penal Law, the False Claims Act, Social Services Law §145-b, and the Executive Law to investigate, prosecute, and obtain criminal and civil remedies against individuals and corporate entities responsible for improper or fraudulent Medicaid billing schemes.
Many of the Unit’s matters have resulted in criminal convictions and revenue-generation through the large-scale recovery of taxpayer money; • Investigating and prosecuting allegations of abuse and neglect of residents in nursing homes and other residential healthcare facilities.
The importance of this work is highlighted in the OAG’s report concerning neglect of nursing home residents across New York State during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent filing of four major lawsuits against nursing homes, including Centers Health Care, Cold Spring Hills Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center and Fulton Commons Care Center, Inc.
; • Additional recent significant cases include the conviction of an optician for billing Medicaid for services not provided, a $2 million settlement with a doctor for illegal Medicaid billing practices and the conviction of a taxi company, its owner, and four employees for fraudulently billing Medicaid for “ghost rides” ; and • Making program integrity recommendations to ensure New York’s $92 billion Medicaid budget serves millions of New Yorkers as intended by law.
Duties include, but are not limited to, the following: • Managing Buffalo’s team of 20 employees in service of the Unit’s mission, including facilitating collaboration, reviewing their work, and supporting their professional development; • Consulting and working collaboratively with the MFCU Executive team in New York City, the Chief of the Civil Enforcement Division, six other MFCU Regional Directors, and supervising auditors and detectives to enhance the Unit’s ability to utilize resources efficiently and effectively in support of its mission, particularly when these initiatives have a multi-region impact; • Overseeing investigative planning of multi-disciplinary teams as well as leading collaborative team-based investigations of allegations of financial fraud in healthcare and of abuse and neglect of residents of healthcare facilities; • Presenting evidence to grand juries and conducting evidentiary hearings and trials in New York State courts; • Preparing and reviewing charging instruments, memoranda recommending charges, plea agreements, search warrants, indictments, civil complaints, civil settlement agreements, and other MFCU materials; • Investigating and efficiently moving an individual caseload and supervising matters assigned to Region teams; and • Serving as the Unit’s primary point of contact for interagency and community relationships in the greater Buffalo area.
Qualifications: • A minimum of ten (10) years of practice experience, including substantial grand jury and trial experience.
Preferably this includes the investigation and prosecution of financial crimes, as well as experience in town and village justice courts in Western New York.
Experience with parallel proceedings and/or civil litigation is a plus; • At least 3 years of experience successfully supervising and leading attorneys and support staff; • Demonstrated ability to foster effective collaboration and teamwork, and a collegial and productive work environment; • Excellent analytical, communication, writing, legal research, and organizational skills; • Sound judgment with the ability to work equally well independently or as productive and collaborative member of a team; • Technology proficiency that includes knowledge of and experience using Microsoft Office applications and case management and eDiscovery platforms; • Frequent travel in Western New York is required for the Unit’s investigations, court appearances, and outreach efforts; • Experience working with multiple agencies and partners in the community is a plus; and • Experience drafting and overseeing the execution of search and eavesdropping warrants is also a plus.
The salary range for this position is $151,487 - $173,368.
The final salary will be set after a complete evaluation of the selected candidate’s qualifications.
As an employee of the OAG, you will join a team of dedicated individuals who work to serve the people of our State through a wide variety of occupations.
We offer a comprehensive New York State benefits package, including paid leave, health, dental, vision and retirement benefits, and family-friendly policies.
Additionally, the OAG offers a robust Workplace Flexibilities Program with multiple options for employees, including telecommuting (up to two days per week) and alternative work schedules.
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The OAG is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to workplace diversity.
HOW TO APPLY Applications must be submitted online.
To ensure consideration, applications must be received by close of business on February 9, 2024.
Applicants must be prepared to submit a complete application consisting of the following: • Cover Letter You may address your letter to Legal Recruitment.
Indicate why you are interested in this position and what makes you a strong candidate.
• Resume • Legal Writing Sample • List of three (3) references Only submit professional references, supervisory references are preferred.
Indicate the nature and duration of your relationship to each reference.
Include contact information and email addresses for each reference.
Please note, your references will not be contacted until after you interview for the position.
If you have questions regarding a position with the OAG and the application process or need assistance with submitting your application, please contact Legal Recruitment via email at recruitment@ag.
ny.
gov or phone at 212-416-8080.