Community Chat

[handygal2]

Scores of former New York City police and firefighters were convicted of swindling disability benefits since charges were filed in 2014. These ranged from $30,000 to $50,000 a year. Many of the claims were for suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression, after searching for victims at Ground Zero after the 9/11/2001 attacks. 

Most of the 137 individuals involved copped pleas, and a few were found guilty at trials. $25 million worth of benefits were forfeited or ordered paid back.

The claimants were exposed by posting photos on Facebook bragging about living "the good life." 

Heres a link to the article:

http://nyp.st/2nVoewU

[CouponQueen]

While I am always glad to see stealing/scammers of the system caught. I seriously doubt they are (or we are of our tax dollars) going to see much in the way of repayment of that amount of money.

[dex]

That is disgusting but only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to scammers.I hope there is an investigations into all government payouts that have gone on for years.

[chrystaltree]

So, in addition to being thieves, they were stupid. 

[proudlyfromNJ]

The ones with the horrible back problems show themselves playing golf and shoveling snow on facebook!

[NeNe1010]

Wow, so sad for the people who really do need those benefits.  

[Spurt]

There is an investigation going on in my state for this very thing, between a big organization and an employee who apparently did the same thing scamming benefits.......

An employee where my friend works tried to do the same thing....the employee was out on paid Family Medical Leave for back issues---she just couldnt even sit in a chair all day she was in such pain--(or so she told her co-workers and her Supervisor)--well another employee video taped her at a Fiesta Celebration dancing up a storm.......the employer was too knd in my opinion....when presented with the evidence they told her to get in the office pronto or she would be fired......they should have made her pay back the benefits she received!  

[2blonde]

A fool and his (or her) money are soon parted.

[SunValley]

People profiting from tragic events are disgusting, and it disheartens me that there are so many in every level of society. And then there are cases where people really do need help and are denied. I know of two. 

[HappyDaze]

Disgusting but not surprising, sadly.