Staten Island woman Hasime Lika scammed Medicaid out of $47k while living in $2m mansion
Staten Island woman scammed $47,000 in benefits while living in $2.4 million mansion and driving around in a Rolls Royce
- Hasime Lika, 34, claimed Medicaid benefits for herself and her two children from 2006 to 2011
- Lika received more than $47,000 in benefits while living in a Staten Island mansion and driving a Rolls Royce
- She failed to declare her common law marriage to property developer Bill Lika and used her maiden name
- She also hid $35,000 in her checking account
- Lika faces up to seven years in prison for welfare fraud and grand larceny
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A New York woman has been indicted for collecting more than $47,000 in Medicaid benefits while living a luxury lifestyle of mansions and fancy cars.
Hasime Lika, 34, is accused of hiding her assets to claim state benefits for herself and her children through Medicaid, a program that provides help to New Yorkers who can't afford medical care, between 2006 and 2011.
All the while, prosecutors claim, she was living in a $2.4 million mansion in the Todt Hill area of Staten Island and driving around in a Rolls Royce and a Mercedes.
Indicted: Hasime Lika is accused of claiming more than $47,000 in benefits fraudulently
Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes says Lika used her maiden name to file for benefits and claimed to live in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Hynes says Lika generally uses the surname of her common-law husband Bill Lika, a wealthy property owner who owns 14 rental properties in New York and has assets of more than $5 million.
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ShareAccording to ABC, Hasime Lika's name is on the deed to the $2.4 million mansion she and her husband bought without a mortgage in 2007, just months after she filed for benefits.
Opulent: Lika lives in this Staten Island mansion, and not in Brooklyn's Williamsburg as she claimed when filing for benefits, say prosecutors
The house has a three-car garage, a pool and a large fountain in the front yard.
Lika also had $35,000 in her checking account that she failed to declare at the time she applied for benefits for herself and her children, say prosecutors.
They also allege that when re-certifying her Medicaid applications between 2006 and 2012, she never disclosed her relationship with Bill Lika.
'This case is an egregious example of an individual who lied to the system by hiding income and a plethora of luxurious resources to abuse one of New York City's most vital public benefit programs meant to serve those truly in need,' said HRA Commissioner Robert Doar in a prepared statement.
Wealthy: Lika refused to answer questions as she left the court and ran to dodge reporters and photographers
Lika is charged with welfare fraud and grand larceny. If convicted, she faces up to seven years in prison.
Local area blogs and YouTube videos allege Bill Lika is a 'slumlord' whose apartment buildings are in a 'third world' condition, while a Twitter user posed in March, 'My landlord Bill Lika sued me, and I won. No hard feelings, Bill (you sad disgusting piece of filth).'
According to ABC, the Likas are currently renovating their Staten Island mansion and building a cabana in the backyard.
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