Former NYC Police, Firefighters Officially Charged with Social Security Disability Fraud
A total of 106 former New York City police, firefighters, and other city workers were officially charged with Social Security Disability fraud on Tuesday, January 7th.
Although many of those accused applied for Social Security Disability due to faked mental problems related to the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks, prosecutors say that the Social Security Disability fraud scheme goes back as far as 1988. They claim that the Social Security Disability fund could have been bilked for as much as $400 million.
“As a New Yorker, as a U.S. citizen, I can only express disgust at the actions of the individuals involved in this scheme,” said New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton.
Those arrested and indicted on charges of Social Security Disability fraud include 72 city police officers, 8 firefighters, 5 corrections officers, and one Nassau County Police Department Officer.
Investigators used Facebook pages to determine that the Social Security Disability claims were fraudulent. For example, Louis Hurtado received $470,000 over a period of 24 years, claiming that he had suffered neck injuries and psychological problems while working for the New York Police Department – however, investigators discovered that he was a 6th degree black belt and had created and sold martial arts instructional videos. Both Richard Cosentino and Glenn Lieberman claimed that, after the 9/11 attacks, they were too depressed to go outside, but their Facebook pages featured several images of the men sport fishing, jet skiing, and enjoying other outdoor activities.
According to the indictment, there were four ringleaders in the Social Security Disability scam, who coached their clients in feigning depression and injuries in order to receive a disability award. The ringleaders made tens of thousands of dollars in kickbacks.
The Social Security Disability scam’s alleged ringleaders are retired officer Joseph Esposito, 64; detectives’ union disability consultant John Minerva, 61; lawyer and former FBI agent and suburban prosecutor Raymond Lavallee, 83; and benefits consultant Thomas Hale, 89. They each entered a plea of not guilty to high-level grand larceny, and have been released from jail on bonds ranging from $250,000 to $1 million.
One defense attorney said that all of the disability benefits-seekers had been found eligible for city worker disability compensation before receiving Social Security Disability awards.
The investigation began 5 years ago when the Social Security Administration noticed a flurry of similar disability applications, and realized that a number of applicants still had gun permits, although they made claims of severe psychological problems.
To help crack down on such fraud cases, the Social Security Administration recently announced that it would undergo a series of major changes the Social Security Disability program.
The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Social Security Disability Claims
Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance can be complex. However, we understand that you need your benefits and we will put our years of experience to work for you to ensure that you have the representation necessary to actively pursue your claim. Call the attorneys at the Strom Law Firm today to discuss your Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income case today. We will be glad to discuss any questions you may have during our free, confidential consultation. Call the experienced attorneys at the Strom Law Firm at (803)252-4800.
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