Sunny Hostin, a familiar face as a co-host on ABC’s The View, is now under the public spotlight for reasons beyond her television role. Her husband, Emmanuel Hostin, an orthopedic surgeon, has been named in a major lawsuit alleging professional misconduct. This legal case, which recently emerged into the public eye, accuses him of actions that could potentially damage his reputation and impact his family’s standing in both legal and medical communities. Emmanuel is among nearly 200 individuals caught up in one of New York’s largest RICO lawsuits.
Sunny Hostin’s husband accused of insurance fraud.
Sunny had some choice words for people who commit these crimes.
What role did she play in her husband’s alleged illegal financial activities?pic.twitter.com/PtTGlsKxrp
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) January 8, 2025
The lawsuit claims that he and others accepted kickbacks for surgeries and falsely billed an insurance company covering taxi and ride-share drivers like Uber and Lyft. Filed on December 17th, it alleges that “Hostin knowingly provided fraudulent medical services,” including surgeries, then billed American Transit Insurance Company for these services in exchange for hidden payments disguised as dividends or other forms of compensation. In response to these serious allegations, Hostin’s lawyer, Daniel Thwaites, firmly stated to DailyMail that his client “denies each and every allegation” and criticized the lawsuit as a “blanket, scattershot, meritless lawsuit by a near-bankrupt insurance carrier.”
Sunny Hostin’s husband is every bit the fraud for his doctoring of documents as she her journalism considering all them legal notes she stays having to read 🤦🏾♂️
— Shaughn_A (@Shaughn_A2) January 8, 2025
Thwaites argued that the lawsuit aims to intimidate doctors from claiming fees for treating American Transit’s insured clients. He emphasized Hostin’s unblemished professional record while condemning the company’s tactics: “American Transit has rushed into this lawsuit without ever examining Dr. Hostin or voicing any concerns to his lawyers.” Furthermore, Thwaites suggested that the real issue lies with an insurance company misusing the legal system to limit healthcare benefits for its clients while avoiding its financial responsibilities.
American Transit claims rampant insurance fraud exists due to New York State’s “No-Fault Law,” which mandates insurers cover up to $50,000 for road accident injuries. They argue this law incentivizes unethical providers to over-diagnose or over-bill patients to maximize profits: “These substantial possible no-fault recoveries can incentivize providers with ill intent.”
With taxis and ride-share vehicles required to offer up to $200,000 in coverage—four times more than private drivers—the industry faces increased scrutiny from those seeking payouts post-accidents. This situation has reportedly led to significant fraudulent activity affecting premiums for honest drivers while destabilizing New York City’s livery insurance market.
In light of these issues, American Transit seeks over $450 million in damages through this ongoing legal battle. The company accuses Hostin of receiving investment interests from Empire State Ambulatory Surgery Center as part of an arrangement where he allegedly referred numerous patients there unlawfully: “Empire State ASC issued regular payments…which were illegal kickbacks.”