An Anchorage Cab driver, 30-year-old Nejdet Gunes was sentenced in an Anchorage court on Tuesday for committing medical assistance fraud.

Gunes was investigated by the Alaska Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and U.S. Health and Human Services in 2010. Undercover agents conducted operations after hearing of Medicaid fraud among drivers of Alaska Yellow Cab. Agent took cab rides with Gunes to several locations not covered by the voucher system such as Northern Lights Bingo, Chilkoot Charlies and Brown Jug liquor Store. Agents gave vouchers to Gunes for tips and also sold vouchers to Gunes for cash.

Gunes violated the terms and conditions of the voucher system. Vouchers are only to be used to provide transport to and from a person’s home or hotel room to a medical location such as a pharmacy, doctor’s office, hospital, rehabilitation center or other medical facility.

Gunes was originally charged with three felony counts and one misdemeanor charges.

Gunes was ordered to pay a $500 fine and pay restitution to the State of Alaska, he was also placed on probation for three years.

As a result of his conviction, Gunes received a lifetime ban and is unable to bill Medicaid for services to Medicaid recipients. He may also face possible suspension or revokation of his three taxi licenses.

Gunes is only one of the cases brought against individuals billing the state fraudulently for service not rendered. The have been five other such cases in the last two months.