More than 25 years of false psychological illness claims from New York City workers cost the Social Security disability program nearly $400mn, prosecutors with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office said Tuesday.
According to District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., more than 100 former New York City employees faked depression and other psychological problems to collect disability benefits from the government, with claims dating as far back as 1988.
Louis Hurtado, who told the New York Police Department he has been suffering from neck injuries and psychological problems for more than 24 years, was actually appearing in instructional videos as a sixth-degree black belt. He cost Social Security $470,000.
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Similarly, Richard Cosentino received $207,000 and Glenn Lieberman $174,000 while claiming they were too depressed to go outside following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Personal photos, however, show the pair of them boating and fishing during the same period they were collecting benefits.
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The accused were apparently coached by ringleaders in the scam on how to act when examined by doctors. Many purposely failed memory tests and were instructed on how to apply for benefits by two former police officers, an ex-FBI agent and a pension consultant.
“The message of this indictment is that if you are considering falsifying or bilking any administration service or disability benefits, you shouldn’t, and if you do, you’re gonna get caught,” Vance Jr. old CBS News.
