Michigan Attorney General Charges Macomb County Dentist with Racketeering in Massive Alleged Medicaid Fraud Scheme

Macomb County Dentist Faces 131 Counts of Medicaid Fraud in Alleged Dental Crowns Scheme

A dental professional accused of billing Medicaid for procedures that were both unnecessary and never provided is facing racketeering charges in a case that highlights the ongoing fight against healthcare fraud in Michigan.

Faddi S. Salim, DDS, 37, of Troy, Michigan, was arraigned on a series of serious charges in the 54B District Court in East Lansing, according to a release from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office. The charges stem from an alleged scheme involving dental crowns that officials say were billed to the Medicaid program but never actually placed on patients.

Salim faces one count of conducting a criminal enterprise, a 20-year felony, and 131 counts of Medicaid fraud. Each fraud count is punishable by up to four years of incarceration and/or a fine of up to $50,000, according to the Attorney General's office.

The alleged scheme unfolded after Salim's patients were told they weren't covered for certain dental treatments because their benefits had been exhausted, even though they had been billed for numerous crowns under those same benefits. According to officials, this pattern of billing suggests that the crowns were both unnecessary and never actually provided to patients.

"Flagrant abuse of the Medicaid program diverts critical funds from patients in need," Attorney General Nessel said in a statement. "My office remains committed to investigating and prosecuting those responsible for fraudulent schemes."

Anyone who was a former patient of Salim and believes they were billed for crowns or dental services that weren't provided can report it to Nessel's office at 1-800-24-ABUSE, according to the release.

Salim was arraigned on March 19, and Judge Lisa Babcock issued him a $50,000 personal recognizance bond. He appeared in court for a probable cause conference on April 2 and is scheduled to appear in court again on May 1, according to the Attorney General's office.

Michigan's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit Takes on Healthcare Fraud

The case is being handled by the Attorney General's Health Care Fraud Division, which serves as Michigan's federally certified Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. This division plays a critical role in protecting the state's Medicaid program from abuse.

The division receives 75% of its funding, approximately $5.5 million, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Michigan covers the remaining 25%, or roughly $1.8 million, for fiscal year 2026, according to the release.

Healthcare fraud cases like this one are particularly damaging because they divert funds away from patients who genuinely need care. The Medicaid program is designed to provide essential healthcare services to Michigan's most vulnerable residents, and fraudulent schemes undermine that mission.

The Growing Problem of Healthcare Fraud

This case comes amid a broader national trend of healthcare fraud investigations. Federal officials recently arrested eight people in Southern California in an alleged healthcare and hospice fraud case involving $50 million in fraudulent billing.

The Michigan case underscores the importance of vigilance in detecting and prosecuting healthcare fraud. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit works to identify patterns of suspicious billing and ensure that taxpayer dollars are used appropriately.

Attorney General Nessel's office has made fighting healthcare fraud a priority, working both at the state and federal levels to protect vulnerable populations and preserve the integrity of public health programs.

Upcoming Court Appearances

Salim's next scheduled court appearance is set for May 1, where the case will continue to be developed. The racketeering charge carries particularly severe penalties, as it alleges that Salim engaged in a pattern of fraudulent behavior as part of a criminal enterprise.

The 131 Medicaid fraud counts suggest that this was not an isolated incident but rather a sustained pattern of billing practices that took advantage of the Medicaid system.

Michigan residents who have concerns about healthcare fraud or who believe they may have been victims of fraudulent billing can report these concerns to the Attorney General's office through the provided hotline.

Sources

• Attorney General of Michigan press release: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2026/04/03/macomb-county-dentist-charged-with-racketeering-in-massive-alleged-medicaid-fraud-scheme
• ClickOnDetroit report: https://clickondetroit.com/news/local/2026/04/03/macomb-county-dentist-faces-131-counts-of-medicaid-fraud-in-scheme-involving-dental-crowns/