A former resident doctor from the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS), Elham Neisani-Somani, was arrested on multiple felony charges on Thursday after being implicated in writing fraudulent prescriptions.
The investigation began in December 2024, when the Target Pharmacy at the Sangertown Mall alerted the New Hartford Police Department about a potential fraud. The pharmacy had received a telephone order for prescription medication from an MVHS doctor. However, upon contacting MVHS for verification, the pharmacy discovered that Neisani-Somani, a 45-year-old New Hartford resident, had not worked at MVHS for nearly a year.
This discovery led to a month-long investigation by the New Hartford Police Department, which concluded that Neisani-Somani had illegally ordered prescription medications while impersonating a licensed doctor. Further investigation revealed that she had placed unauthorized orders for prescriptions dating back to June 2024.
On January 30, Neisani-Somani turned herself in to the New Hartford Police Department. She faces multiple charges, including:
First-degree Criminal Impersonation (Class E Felony)
First-degree Identity Theft (Class D Felony)
First-degree Falsifying Business Records (Class E Felony)
Second-degree Forgery (Class D Felony)
Third-degree Grand Larceny (Class D Felony)
Petit Larceny (Class A Misdemeanor)
Unauthorized Practice of a Profession (Class E Felony, under New York State Education Law)
Following her arrest, Neisani-Somani was arraigned and released on her own recognizance. MVHS has also terminated her employment.
The Mohawk Valley Health System and the New York State Department of Health’s Narcotics Enforcement Unit assisted in the investigation.
