Story by Ethan
On October 15th, 2025, the arrest of Dr. QiLi Li, age 54, was announced by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Dr. QiLi Li was charged with first-degree Falsifying Business Records, second-degree Grand Larceny, and second-degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property. The arrest and charges against Dr. QiLi Li were a result of an investigation handled by Investigator Jennifer Person of the New York State Department of Health’s Bureau of Investigations, Detective Investigator Robert Li, and Investigative Accountant Silvana Sutich from the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, Dr. QiLi Li filed an application to the Department of Health to receive a grant for abortion access and care. On the submitted application Dr. QiLi Li claimed to offer free abortion services and care at her practice Flushing OB/GYN on 136-20 38th Avenue, needing the money to hire staff, purchase equipment, and extend her own hours from six to seven days a week. The state of New York proceeded to approve the application and grant Dr. QiLi Li $340,000 in grant money. In August 2023 Dr. QiLi Li also had submitted reimbursement vouchers to the Department of Health for alleged equipment purchases, extra staff that was hired, and additional office space. Dr. QiLi Li received two payments totalling to $287,941.
Dr. QiLi Li’s expenditures to her business were examined, and it was uncovered that she had not extended her practice’s hours, purchased the equipment she claimed to have ordered, hired any additional staff, or performed any abortion procedures or care. Investigators that visited her office space in person discovered that Dr. QiLi Li’s office location was a medical spa that provided cosmetic procedures such as contouring, skin tightening, and facial rejuvenations.
The Queens District Attorney’s Office stated that the charges against Dr. QiLi Li are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
