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Former New York police charged in suspected $400m disability scam Former New York police charged in suspected $400m disability scam
(35 minutes later)
Eighty retired New York police officers and firefighters have been charged in a suspected disability scam in which authorities said dozens of people falsely claimed to have been traumatised by the September 11 attacks on the city.Eighty retired New York police officers and firefighters have been charged in a suspected disability scam in which authorities said dozens of people falsely claimed to have been traumatised by the September 11 attacks on the city.
In all, 106 suspects were charged in a scheme that goes back to the late 1980s, according to the Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance, whose office led the two-year investigation. In all, 106 suspects were charged in a scheme that goes back to the late 1980s, according to the Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus Vance, whose office led the two-year investigation.
"The total amount stolen from taxpayers could reach $400m [£330m]," Vance said."The total amount stolen from taxpayers could reach $400m [£330m]," Vance said.
Prosecutors released documents that included images of a number of the purportedly disabled suspects engaged in activities such as jet-skiing, martial arts instruction and piloting a helicopter.Prosecutors released documents that included images of a number of the purportedly disabled suspects engaged in activities such as jet-skiing, martial arts instruction and piloting a helicopter.
The case is reminiscent of a $1bn disability fraud involving employees of the Long Island Rail Road, who were accused of playing golf, shovelling snow or riding bikes when they claimed they were unable to work. After the scandal was first brought to light in 2008 by a New York Times investigation, the US authorities charged 33 people, all of whom pleaded guilty or were convicted at trial.The case is reminiscent of a $1bn disability fraud involving employees of the Long Island Rail Road, who were accused of playing golf, shovelling snow or riding bikes when they claimed they were unable to work. After the scandal was first brought to light in 2008 by a New York Times investigation, the US authorities charged 33 people, all of whom pleaded guilty or were convicted at trial.
In the more recent case, New York prosecutors said many of the suspects claimed social security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits of $30,000-50,000 a year for psychiatric ailments such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression that were so incapacitating they were unable to work – or, in some cases, even to leave their homes.In the more recent case, New York prosecutors said many of the suspects claimed social security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits of $30,000-50,000 a year for psychiatric ailments such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression that were so incapacitating they were unable to work – or, in some cases, even to leave their homes.
"The brazenness is shocking," Vance said at a press conference on Tuesday, referring to one suspect who officials said ran a martial arts studio. "So if you're 'disabled' and running around running a judo studio, that's brazen.""The brazenness is shocking," Vance said at a press conference on Tuesday, referring to one suspect who officials said ran a martial arts studio. "So if you're 'disabled' and running around running a judo studio, that's brazen."
Eighty-four of the 106 defendants were in custody by Tuesday afternoon, officials said, and most of the remaining 22 were expected to surrender or be arrested. Investigators said they were still collecting evidence and more people could be charged.Eighty-four of the 106 defendants were in custody by Tuesday afternoon, officials said, and most of the remaining 22 were expected to surrender or be arrested. Investigators said they were still collecting evidence and more people could be charged.
Officials said four men masterminded the wide-ranging scheme, directing hundreds of applicants to the SSDI benefits programme and teaching them how to feign symptoms of mental and psychiatric damage in order to obtain benefits to which they were not entitled.Officials said four men masterminded the wide-ranging scheme, directing hundreds of applicants to the SSDI benefits programme and teaching them how to feign symptoms of mental and psychiatric damage in order to obtain benefits to which they were not entitled.
"Since at least 1988, these men are charged with coaching hundreds of individuals on how to convince the Social Security Administration that (they) are unable to work at any job because they suffer a psychiatric condition and are, therefore, entitled to monthly disability payments," Vance said. "Since at least 1988, these men are charged with coaching hundreds of individuals on how to convince the Social Security Administration that [they] are unable to work at any job because they suffer a psychiatric condition and are, therefore, entitled to monthly disability payments," Vance said.
The four men charged with organising the scheme are a retired New York police officer, a police detectives' union official, a pension consultant and an attorney, officials said.The four men charged with organising the scheme are a retired New York police officer, a police detectives' union official, a pension consultant and an attorney, officials said.
The newly appointed New York police commissioner, Bill Bratton said he could "only express disgust" at the actions of the suspects. He was especially irked that they invoked the 9/11 suicide hijack attacks of when nearly 3,000 people were killed.The newly appointed New York police commissioner, Bill Bratton said he could "only express disgust" at the actions of the suspects. He was especially irked that they invoked the 9/11 suicide hijack attacks of when nearly 3,000 people were killed.
"The idea that many of them chose the events of 9/11 to claim as the basis for their disability brings further dishonour to themselves," Bratton said."The idea that many of them chose the events of 9/11 to claim as the basis for their disability brings further dishonour to themselves," Bratton said.
The 106 defendants are being charged with varying degrees of grand larceny and attempted grand larceny and face a range of jail sentences if convicted.The 106 defendants are being charged with varying degrees of grand larceny and attempted grand larceny and face a range of jail sentences if convicted.
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