An orthopedic surgeon married to “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin is caught up in a massive insurance fraud lawsuit that may drag on for years.
Key Facts:
– Dr. Emmanuel “Manny” Hostin is one of about 200 defendants named in a $459 million insurance fraud case.
– Plaintiffs, led by American Transit Insurance Co., accuse defendants of improper medical billing and kickback schemes.
– The lawsuit is filed under the RICO statute, allowing triple damages if plaintiffs win.
– Alleged fraudulent billing includes arthroscopic surgeries for collisions deemed “low impact.”
– Legal experts warn civil RICO cases often require years of court proceedings.
The Rest of The Story:
American Transit, which insures ride-share and taxi companies, accuses Dr. Hostin and others of inflating medical costs for profit.
The federal lawsuit claims they used New York’s no-fault insurance laws to charge for expensive or unnecessary treatments.
According to court documents, Hostin allegedly performed surgeries soon after minor traffic accidents.
The insurer suggests these operations were not medically justified given the low-impact collisions.
Attorneys experienced with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) lawsuits say this is a tactic designed to pressure defendants into changing their practices or settling to avoid high legal costs.
Because RICO allows plaintiffs to pursue triple the usual compensatory damages, American Transit estimates its losses could reach $459 million.
Experts also note that civil RICO actions frequently outlast initial expectations.
Each defendant can file motions to dismiss or challenge specific claims, making the discovery process vast and time-consuming.
While some might see these allegations as “blanket, scattershot” accusations, the insurance company will likely attempt to document evidence for each claim.
Dr. Hostin’s lawyers have strongly denied the allegations, describing the case as meritless and driven by a struggling insurance carrier.
They expect to fight the lawsuit for an extended period.
Meanwhile, fans of “The View” remain curious how this will affect Sunny Hostin, who has publicly mentioned her husband’s frustration with insurance companies.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Emmanuel "Manny" Hostin, the husband of "The View" co-host Sunny Hostin, is accused of receiving kickbacks; by performing surgery and fraudulently billing a company that insures taxis, Uber, and Lyft drivers. pic.twitter.com/gjHfvV4Jzi
— 247AG (@247dotAg) January 8, 2025
The Bottom Line:
Dr. Emmanuel Hostin’s legal troubles may drag out for a significant time, given the complexity of civil RICO cases and the large number of defendants.
While the surgeon denies wrongdoing, the lawsuit’s high financial stakes mean this controversy will likely continue to draw attention for months or even years.