A Schenectady business owner pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing over $700,000 from the state’s Medicaid program through his medical transportation company. The case is part of an ongoing effort by New York authorities to crack down on massive fraud they allege has permeated Medicaid programs,

Notices went out to 54 companies across the state that the attorney general's office contends are defrauding Medicaid.

The owner of a Schenectady medical transport firm has admitted to stealing more than $700,000 from the state's Medicaid program, officials said.

More than 50 medical transportation companies received cease and desist notices from the state attorney general's office Wednesday instructing them to cease any alleged fraudulent Medicaid activity involving illegal billing schemes.