Scene Co-host Sunny Hostin has found herself embroiled in a very surprising scandal.
Sunny’s surgeon husband, Dr. Emmanuel Hostin, has been charged with federal insurance fraud in a new lawsuit.
In court documents filed this week, Emmanuel has been named as one of 200 defendants in a lawsuit that has some big implications.
Emmanuel Hostin’s legal troubles
In the lawsuit, Emanuel is accused of “taking bribes by performing surgeries and … billing taxi companies and the company that insures Uber and Lyft drivers.”
“Hostin knowingly provided fraudulent medical and other health services, including arthroscopic surgeries,” the filing, obtained by Page Six, reads.
The outlet described the trial as “one of the largest racketeer-influenced and corrupt organizations (RICO) cases ever filed in New York.”
The lawsuit alleges that insurer American Transit was billed “in exchange for bribes and/or other compensation, disguised as dividends or other cash distributions.”
Emmanuel’s response
Emmanuel has not spoken to the media since the lawsuit was filed on December 17. But his lawyer Daniel John Thwaites has issued a statement on his behalf.
Thwaites explains daily Mail that his client “denies each and every allegation,” adding that the lawsuit is a “blatant, despicable, meritless lawsuit by a nearly bankrupt insurance carrier.”
“It is intended to intimidate and harass doctors into recovering for the care they provide to American Transit insureds and their passengers,” Thwaites alleged.
Sunny remains silent
It is not surprising that Sunny has decided not to speak publicly on this matter.
She may have remained silent on the advice of her husband’s legal advisor. But whatever the case, it’s probably the right decision.
Controversy is nothing new for Sunny, but debating in the political arena is quite different from dealing with federal RICO charges.
We are sure the haters will be speculating about Sunny’s future Scene In light of this news. But rumors of his departure have been going on for years, so this is also nothing new.
You will be kept updated on this developing story as new information becomes available.