ATLANTA - Attorney General Thurbert E. Baker announced that Atlanta business owner Daryl Solomon today entered a plea of guilty in DeKalb County Superior Court to Medicaid fraud and conspiracy to defraud the state. Judge Hilton Fuller pronounced a sentence of 15 years, with five years to serve. Additionally, Judge Fuller ordered Solomon to pay $317,822.50 in restitution and a $6,000.00 fine.

Solomon owned and operated a non-emergency transportation business known as S & S Convalescent Transportation. From January 1, 1994, through June 30, 1994, Solomon submitted claims to the Department of Medical Assistance claiming that his company was transporting individuals by stretcher. In fact most individuals transported by S & S Convalescent Transportation were children who rode on regular vans to after school programs. The reimbursement rate for stretcher transportation is ten times more than the rate paid for van trips. During the relevant six month time period, Solomon was paid over one million dollars by the Department of Medical Assistance for fraudulent stretcher trips.

Attorney General Thurbert Baker stated, "Medicaid fraud continues to be one of my top priorities. Those who choose to steal tax dollars paid by the hardworking people of this state will be made to pay for these crimes."

The prosecutor in the case was Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth D. Redisch. The case was investigated by GBI Special Agent Allan Fetters and Auditor David Walker. Throughout the prosecution, the state prosecutor received assistance and support from DeKalb County District Attorney J. Tom Morgan.