In the world of celebrity news, drama doesn’t always come from the spotlight itself. Recently, Sunny Hostin’s husband, Emmanuel “Manny” Hostin, has found himself at the center of a legal storm. According to court documents obtained by Closer, Manny, a well-regarded surgeon, is among 200 defendants accused of insurance fraud. This case has sent ripples through the Hostin family, and it’s a story that’s capturing national attention.
Manny, who is 54 years old, is accused of participating in a scheme involving illegal kickbacks and unlawful referral relationships. Prosecutors claim that he used these practices to fraudulently bill for medical services that were not necessary. The lawsuit, filed on December 17, 2024, alleges that Manny knowingly provided fraudulent medical services, including arthroscopic surgeries, through his practice, Hostin Orthopaedics. Furthermore, the documents suggest that he billed American Transit, a company that primarily insures ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, in exchange for kickbacks disguised as dividends or cash distributions.
Adding more depth to the allegations, the legal documents state that Manny provided these fraudulent services at various Ambulatory Service Centers (ASCs) under his practice's umbrella. These centers include Empire State ASC, Fifth Avenue ASC, All City ASC, New Horizon ASC, Jersey City ASC, Saddlebrook ASC, and Rockaway ASC. The lawsuit suggests that he billed American Transit through these entities in exchange for kickbacks and other forms of compensation.
Read also:Savannah Guthrie Warns Craig Melvin About Late Nights On Today
Defense Speaks Out
Manny’s lawyer, Daniel Thwaites, has not taken these accusations lightly. In a statement to the Daily Mail, Thwaites described the lawsuit as a "scattershot, meritless lawsuit by a near-bankrupt insurance carrier." Manny denies every single allegation against him, his lawyer emphasized. Thwaites further stated that the lawsuit seems to be an intimidation tactic aimed at harassing doctors who are trying to collect payments for care provided to American Transit's insureds and their passengers.
“American Transit has rushed into this lawsuit without ever examining Dr. Hostin or raising concerns with his legal team,” Thwaites explained. He pointed out that the real issue here is an insurance company abusing the legal system to limit healthcare benefits for its insureds and their passengers. It’s a strategy, he argues, to write off obligations that the company should rightfully honor.
Who Is Manny Hostin?
Sunny, 53, met Manny at a church in Maryland, and their journey together began with Manny's graduation from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1996. Two years later, the couple officially tied the knot. Manny received his New York State medical license in 2002 and has since been affiliated with prestigious hospitals such as Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West. His career has been marked by dedication and excellence, making these allegations particularly challenging for the family.
Sunny, a lawyer and one of ABC News’ legal correspondents, and Manny have two children together: Gabriel and Paloma. In September 2024, Sunny opened up about a poignant moment in her life when she and Manny reacted differently to dropping off Paloma, 18, at college. While Sunny experienced a breakdown, Manny viewed the milestone with excitement, seeing it as a great opportunity for Paloma.
