Sunny Hostin, co-host of The View, is facing a challenging situation as her husband, Dr. Emmanuel “Manny” Hostin, becomes embroiled in a major legal case. Dr. Hostin, an orthopedic surgeon, is one of nearly 200 defendants named in a large RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) lawsuit filed in New York, accusing him of participating in a federal insurance fraud scheme.
The lawsuit, which was filed on December 17, 2023, alleges that Dr. Hostin performed unnecessary surgeries, particularly arthroscopic procedures, and billed them to American Transit, an insurance company that serves drivers of taxis, Ubers, and Lyfts. According to the suit, he received improper payments disguised as “dividends” in exchange for referring patients to certain medical facilities.
Dr. Hostin’s Defense
In response to the serious allegations, Dr. Hostin’s attorney, Daniel Thwaites, has strongly denied the claims, calling the lawsuit “meritless” and accusing American Transit of targeting healthcare providers unfairly. Thwaites argues that the insurance company failed to properly investigate the claims and is using the lawsuit as a means to harass medical professionals. He also emphasized Dr. Hostin’s strong reputation and denied any wrongdoing.
Sunny Hostin’s Public Life and Family Challenges
Sunny Hostin, who has been married to Dr. Hostin for over 20 years, has always been open about her personal life on The View. The couple, married in 1998, share two children and live in an affluent home in Purchase, New York. Sunny, who serves as a senior legal correspondent for ABC News, frequently shares her family’s experiences and challenges, including her struggles with infertility.
Their relationship has faced significant hardships, including the tragic loss of both of Dr. Hostin’s parents to COVID-19 in 2021. Despite the ups and downs, the couple has remained a strong unit, with Sunny supporting her husband through this legal battle.
The Legal Case and Potential Consequences
The lawsuit filed by American Transit accuses Dr. Hostin of fraudulently referring accident victims for unnecessary surgeries, in violation of New York’s “No-Fault Law.” This law is designed to cover medical expenses for accident victims, and the insurance company claims that fraudulent claims like these inflate insurance premiums, negatively impacting drivers and consumers.
American Transit is seeking over $450 million in damages, alleging widespread fraud in the New York insurance industry. The company argues that the manipulation of the No-Fault Law has caused significant financial harm and increased premiums for drivers.
Legal Opinions and Future of the Case
Legal experts are divided on the merits of the case. Some believe that the fight against insurance fraud is crucial for protecting consumers, while others suggest that the lawsuit may be an attempt by American Transit to recover lost funds by targeting smaller medical practices. In either case, the ongoing legal drama has placed both Sunny and Dr. Hostin in a difficult position, as the outcome of the case could impact their public lives and family reputation.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the legal battle will unfold and what consequences it will have for Dr. Hostin and his family.
