Nutritionist Indicted on Insurance Fraud, Theft Charges

A New York nutritionist with an office in Ridgewood was indicted by a grand jury on charges of fraudulently billing insurance companies, New Jersey Attorney General Jeff Chisea announced Wednesday.

Azadeh Ahmadi, 42, of New York City, is facing two counts of second-degree health care claims fraud and two counts of third-degree theft by deception.

Over a two-year span beginning in May of 2005 ending in June of 2007, Ahmadi, who has offices at 317 Franklin Ave. in Ridgewood and also in the City of Passaic, is alleged to have "provided false statements" to Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield claiming several patients had received nutrition counseling services. She also claimed some patients were suffering from diabetes, authorities say. 

Problem is, says Chisea, those things didn't happen.

Prosecutors say Ahmadi made similar claims to insurer Aetna, and pocketed a total of $40,244 in the alleged schemes. 

Each healthcare claims fraud charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a $150,000 fine; theft by deception charges each carry penalties of up to 5 years in prison and as much as $15,000 per charge. Ahmadi could also face civil claims, Chisea said.

Among the investigators working the case is Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor , a resident of Ridgewood.