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Dozens of former New York police and firemen in 9/11 disability fraud Dozens of former New York police and firemen in 9/11 disability fraud
(35 minutes later)
Dozens of US former emergency service workers have been arrested in a sweeping fraud investigation involving federal disability benefits, New York authorities say.Dozens of US former emergency service workers have been arrested in a sweeping fraud investigation involving federal disability benefits, New York authorities say.
Prosecutors say 72 police officers, eight firefighters and five corrections officers are among those charged.Prosecutors say 72 police officers, eight firefighters and five corrections officers are among those charged.
Some reportedly falsely claimed disabling conditions arising from the 11 September 2001 attacks.Some reportedly falsely claimed disabling conditions arising from the 11 September 2001 attacks.
The fraud is believed to have cost hundreds of millions of dollars.The fraud is believed to have cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
"The brazenness is shocking," Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance said on Tuesday."The brazenness is shocking," Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance said on Tuesday.
"Many participants cynically manufactured claims of mental illness as a result of September 11, dishonouring the first responders who did serve their city at the expense of their own health and safety," he added."Many participants cynically manufactured claims of mental illness as a result of September 11, dishonouring the first responders who did serve their city at the expense of their own health and safety," he added.
Incriminating photosIncriminating photos
Four men, including a retired police officer and a disability consultant with a New York detective's union, appeared in court on Tuesday on grand larceny charges.Four men, including a retired police officer and a disability consultant with a New York detective's union, appeared in court on Tuesday on grand larceny charges.
The defendants, believed to be the ringleaders of the fraud operation, were released on bail of up to $1m (£609,690). The defendants, allegedly the ringleaders of the fraud operation, were released on bail of up to $1m (£609,690).
Those men stand accused of coaching the former emergency workers on how to feign mental health problems and fail memory tests in an effort to draw disability benefits, collecting tens of thousands of dollars in kickbacks.Those men stand accused of coaching the former emergency workers on how to feign mental health problems and fail memory tests in an effort to draw disability benefits, collecting tens of thousands of dollars in kickbacks.
One retired police officer told doctors he suffered panic attacks was unable to leave his house - only to post photographs of himself on social media riding a jet ski. One retired police officer told doctors he suffered panic attacks and was unable to leave his house - only to post photographs of himself on social media riding a jet ski.
Another retired policeman collected a disability pension for a neck injury - and then went on to open a martial arts studioAnother retired policeman collected a disability pension for a neck injury - and then went on to open a martial arts studio
Yet another claimed he was incapable of social interactions was found to be running a cannoli stand at a street festival. Yet another, who claimed he was incapable of social interaction, was found to be running a cannoli stand at a street festival.