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A former Amtrak employee has pleaded guilty to his role in a sprawling healthcare fraud conspiracy that drained $11 million from the rail service’s insurance plan, federal prosecutors announced.

Inside the $11M Fraud Web

Anthony Saloka, 44, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, admitted in Newark federal court Tuesday that he and his co-conspirators orchestrated an elaborate kickback scheme, cashing in on fraudulent medical claims. U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo accepted his plea to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. Sentencing is set for June 4.

According to acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna, the plot unfolded between January 2019 and June 2022, with Saloka and others allowing medical providers to misuse their personal and insurance information to submit bogus claims. In exchange, the group pocketed kickbacks.

Kickbacks and Key Players

Saloka allegedly raked in thousands of dollars in cash from healthcare professionals, including Punson Figueroa, an acupuncturist, and podiatrist Dr. Michael DeNicola.

Figueroa has already been sentenced to nearly three years behind bars after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. DeNicola admitted to similar charges in June 2022, but his sentencing is still pending.

Federal prosecutors say Amtrak’s healthcare plan was hit with over $11 million in fraudulent claims tied to these illicit dealings.

The Price of Fraud

Saloka now faces a steep penalty—up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the financial impact of his crimes, whichever is greater.

His legal counsel, Vincent LaPaglia, has not issued a statement, and requests for comment went unanswered.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica R. Ecker and Katherine M. Romano are prosecuting the case.

Case details remain sealed for now, but with millions siphoned and key players already convicted, Saloka’s fate looms large.