A Flushing physician faces grand larceny charges for allegedly misappropriating state funds intended to expand abortion services, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office. Dr. QiLi Li, 54, is accused of diverting nearly $300,000 in New York state grant money to support her medical spa business, where she and her staff reportedly performed cosmetic procedures instead of the designated care.
The prosecutor's office stated that, instead, she used the funds for unrelated purposes. Although she claimed to have implemented medical service expansions and improvements, her practice did not show the promised changes, the Queens DA's office detailed.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz expressed indignation over the misuse of government funds intended to serve the public’s health needs, saying, "As alleged, this defendant applied for a state grant under the guise of using it for abortion care with promises to extend her hours, purchase new equipment and hire more staff," according to a press release. Li, facing an array of charges including grand larceny and falsifying business records, was arraigned with a follow-up court date set for January 12, 2026, and could see up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
The investigation revealed that the state payments Li received in 2023 and 2024, totaling $287,941, were not used to improve her OB/GYN practice for abortion services. Instead, her "expanded office space" operated as a medical spa offering treatments such as skin tightening, as per the DA’s office. Following the investigation’s findings, Li reimbursed the full amount to the state Department of Health, which was confirmed by both the New York State Department of Health’s Bureau of Investigations and the Queens County District Attorney’s prosecutorial team.
Dr. James V. McDonald, New York State Health Commissioner, described the case as a serious issue that highlights ongoing concerns about the proper use of state funds intended to support healthcare initiatives. He emphasized the Department of Health’s commitment to the legal and ethical management of taxpayer dollars to serve the well-being of New Yorkers. The Abortion Access Program fund is meant to support providers offering abortion care services to ensure these essential healthcare services remain safe and accessible, and any misuse of these funds is both illegal and harmful to the individuals the providers aim to serve.
