Oct 23, 2009 10:39 am US/Eastern
Nassau DA Angry Over Workers' Comp Claims Fraud
Kathleen Rice Goes High-Tech To Catch In Compromising Positions Those Who Allegedly Bilked System For Big Bucks
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice (file)
CBS
It's an infuriating abuse of taxpayer dollars, the kind of thing that gets people very upset.
Seven people have now been charged with bilking the system, claiming to be disabled but appearing rather able-bodied.
Prosecutors said they were caught in the act.
Video obtained by CBS 2 HD showed a county social worker claiming that he's unable to work. Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, however, said he is heading for the gym.
"What we have here is people playing the system, working off the system. They're greedy and they're gonna get caught," Rice said.
Exhibit 1, said the DA, was the case of Sean Tolliver of West Hempstead who wore a sling and carried a cane when he went to compensation hearings and to doctor's appointments.
"Who claims to have suffered a head injury. Doctor said okay to go back to work. Didn't go back to work," Rice said.
Instead, the DA said, Tolliver took $17,000 in workers' compensation, which she said, was fraud.
"We saw him running two miles to the gym, working out at the gym, running home. All the while claiming such terrible head injury he could not return to work," Rice said.
The DA has charged seven people with workers' comp and insurance fraud -- like bridge operator John Buonagura of Floral Park, who suffered a back injury, took $14,000 in worker's comp, while engaged, said the DA, in a new job of moving dental chairs.
"So not only was he back at work taking pay, but he still collected worker's compensation. And that's an abuse of the system," Rice said.
Also caught on tape was Robin Ardiano of Hempstead, an injured construction worker who took $7,500 in workers' comp, was then seen allegedly moving drywall and moving boxes. Then there was Marcos Gamboa of Sea Cliff who suffered head and back injuries, claiming he couldn't work. But the DA said he took $8,000 in claims while working at a bagel place.
The DA said the alleged fraud is not only illegal, but is an affront to those really unable to work, who make legitimate workers' comp and insurance claims.
Attempts to reach those accused were unsuccessful. They have been arraigned on charges of grand larceny and perjury.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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