News
New York Surgeon Gets 36 Months In Jail Over $31m Trip-and-Fall Scam
A New York-licensed pain management doctor has been sentenced to 36 months in prison for his participation in a scheme to obtain fraudulent insurance reimbursements and other compensation from fraudulent trip-and-fall accidents.
Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the sentencing of Sady Ribeiro by U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein. During the course of the fraud scheme, Ribeiro and others, attempted to defraud their victims of more than $31 million.
In addition to the prison term, Ribeiro, 72, of New York, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
Ribeiro pled guilty last October beforeJudge Stein. Four other co-conspirators also previously pled guilty for their involvement in the same scheme, and three were convicted at trial in May 2019 for their participation in the same trip-and-fall fraud scheme and sentenced in May 2020.
Fifth Member of $31M New York City Trip-And-Fall Scheme Arrested, Charged
“Sady Ribeiro abused his professional license and broke his vow to do no harm by performing scores of medically unnecessary, invasive surgeries to increase the value of fraudulent trip-and-fall lawsuits. In carrying out the scheme, Ribeiro and his co-conspirators preyed upon the most vulnerable members of society – many of whom were poor, drug addicts, or homeless – in order to enrich themselves,” Williams said.
According to the indictment, the scheme involved defrauding businesses and insurance companies by staging trip-and-fall accidents and filing fraudulent lawsuits arising from those staged trip-and-fall accidents.
The fraud scheme participants recruited individuals to stage or falsely claim to have suffered trip-and-fall accidents at particular locations throughout New York City in such places as cellar doors, cracks in concrete sidewalks, and purported “potholes. In the course of the fraud scheme, scheme participants recruited more than 400 “patients,” many of whom were poor, homeless, drug addicted or otherwise vulnerable.
After the staged trip-and-fall accidents, patients were referred to specific attorneys who would file personal injury lawsuits against the owners of the accident sites and/or insurance companies.
The patients were also instructed to receive ongoing chiropractic and medical treatment from certain chiropractors and doctors, including Ribeiro. To continue with their lawsuits, the patients were required to undergo surgery, for which they were offered a payment typically between $1,000 and $1,500. Patients generally were told to undergo two surgeries, regardless of their legitimate medical needs. Ribeiro performed medical procedures on more than 200 patients. To maximize his patient base, Ribeiro paid participants cash kickbacks in exchange for patient referrals, according to prosecutors.
Source: Insurance Journal
News
Rising Political Tension: Wife Of Rivers State Head Of Service, George Nwaeke Pleads For Her husband’s Safety
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The escalating political crisis in Rivers State took a dramatic turn on Friday as Florence Nwaeke, wife of former state Head of Service George Nwaeke, voiced deep concerns over her husband’s whereabouts.
Fighting back tears, she appealed to the public, revealing she had lost contact with him and feared for his life.
According to Mrs Nwaeke, her husband had travelled to Abuja and confirmed his arrival via a phone call. However, subsequent events took a baffling turn when reports surfaced of an unexpected interview attributed to him. The news left her in shock, as she insisted the statements made were uncharacteristic of her husband.
“I was confused when I heard he had given an interview. I asked myself, ‘An interview about what?’ That was not my husband speaking,” she said, overwhelmed with emotion.
Fearing for his safety, Mrs Nwaeke attempted to reach her husband multiple times but received no response.
“I sent him messages asking if he was under duress, if he had been kidnapped, but there was no reply,” she recounted. “His phone is off, and I do not know where he is. Nigerians, please help me!”
Her plea for help emerged just hours after Mr Nwaeke’s interview, in which he accused Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara of secretly backing Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for the 2027 presidential election. He also claimed Fubara had encouraged militants to stage attacks, allegations that sent shockwaves through the political landscape.
In a subsequent video, Mrs Nwaeke made a direct appeal to Governor Fubara, imploring him to intervene and ensure her husband’s safety.
“Governor Fubara, please help me. My husband is in trouble,” she cried. “He has been forced to say things he knows nothing about. He resigned just to protect himself.”
Her statement suggested that Mr Nwaeke may have been pressured into making claims against the governor, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding political crisis.
Governor Fubara quickly dismissed the allegations, insinuating that Mr Nwaeke had been either bribed or coerced into making false statements.
“The truth is that Dr Nwaeke has been compromised,” Fubara asserted in a statement. “He is only making these claims to fulfil promises to those who have either paid him or forced him into this.”
To support his counterclaim, the governor released purported screenshots of conversations between Mr Nwaeke and his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie.
These messages suggested that Mr Nwaeke had previously sought financial assistance and political backing, allegedly citing a monthly income of N500,000 as inadequate.
Meanwhile, the public awaits further developments, hoping for Mr Nwaeke’s safe return and a resolution to the escalating crisis.
Petrol tanker explosions in Nigeria have become a pressing concern, with alarming statistics revealing that no fewer than 555 people lost their lives between January 2020 and January 2025. Data from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has highlighted the severity of these incidents, prompting urgent discussions on safety measures and regulations.
According to Joyce Alexander, the Sector Commander of the FRSC in Anambra State, these fatal accidents have caused extensive loss of life and destruction of property.
Speaking at a town hall meeting on “Tanker and Trailer Safety Challenges in Nigeria” in Awka, she outlined the staggering figures:
2020: 18 tanker explosions, 161 deaths.
2021: 19 tanker explosions, 55 fatalities.
2022: 14 tanker explosions, 76 deaths.
2023: 13 tanker explosions, 118 fatalities.
2024: 13 tanker explosions, 85 casualties.
January 2025: 7 recorded tanker explosions.
Recognising the severity of the situation, the FRSC has proposed several strategies to curb tanker-related accidents:
Strict Enforcement of Speed Limits: Ensuring that haulage vehicles are equipped with speed-limiting devices.
Regular Training for Drivers: Educating tanker operators on road safety measures and responsible driving habits.
Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance: Mandating periodic checks to identify and fix mechanical faults before tankers hit the road.
Legislative Action: Introducing harsher penalties for tanker owners who fail to comply with safety standards.
Establishing Rest Areas: Providing designated stops to prevent fatigue-related accidents.
Uche Noah, a Chief Superintendent of Police and the Divisional Police Officer of ‘B’ Division, Awka, urged drivers to avoid alcohol and illicit substances while on duty, which significantly contribute to road accidents.
By Amina Samuel, Kaduna
The Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, has commended Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for fostering an inclusive government and uniting the people of the state.
Speaking at the 2025 Kaduna North Annual Deanery Cathedraticum, Archbishop Ndagoso praised Governor Sani’s leadership, contrasting it with the divisive policies of the previous administration under Nasir el-Rufai.
“The past administration divided the people; many did not feel a sense of belonging across the senatorial districts,” Ndagoso said.
“The past government acknowledged only a selected few, but in the last two years, Governor Uba Sani has bridged the gap created by his predecessor.”
The Archbishop urged the Catholic community to focus on their faith rather than the shortcomings of individual priests.
“Nobody is perfect, and no one should judge another. We should learn to adjust our ways and look at Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for mankind,” he said.
Ndagoso also commended the lay faithful for their unwavering support of the archdiocese and called on Kaduna residents and Nigerians to embrace peaceful coexistence regardless of religion or ethnicity.
Similarly, Lt. Col. G.O.I, Parish Priest of the Chaplaincy of St Peter’s Ribadu Cantonment, expressed gratitude to the Archbishop for selecting his parish to host this year’s Cathedraticum.