NYC disability fraud case: 28 new indictments issued
NEW YORK -- Law enforcers say 28 new indictments have been issued in New York as part of a sprawling Social Security disability fraud case.
According to The New York Times the defendants were expected to be brought to court on Tuesday.
Authorities said in January that a decades-long scam netted more than $20 million in Social Security disability payments.
They say recipients claimed they could barely care for themselves but were engaged in a wide range of activities that proved otherwise.
Prosecutors say many recipients were advised to link their supposed symptoms to 9/11.
Authorities previously announced the
arrest of three advisers, a lawyer and more than 100 benefits recipients,
including former police officers and firefighters.
Richard Cosentino allegedly received $207,000 while claiming he was too depressed to go outside after the attacks on 9/11.
Glenn Lieberman received $174,000. He was also too depressed to go outside.
Said New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton: "As a New Yorker, as a U.S. citizen, I can only express disgust at the actions of the individuals involved in this scheme."