Community Corner
Talk Back: Immunity Deal in LIRR Disability Fraud
Employees who admit disability fraud will avoid jail, according to new immunity offer.
Though 10 new Long Island Railroad retirees, including a West Islip resident, have been , prosecutors have offered a rare stay-out-of-jail immunity deal to hundreds of other potential defendants if they come forward and admit fraud and give up their disability pensions.
This week, a letter mailed to LIRR retirees claiming disabilities stated those who come forward and admit by July 6 that they falsified their claims will get to keep all their past benefits, while those who wait until Aug. 10 will have to surrender half of their past benefits.
According to officials, the deal was offered in an effort to save the Railroad Retirement board tens of millions of dollars in legal and prosecution fees. It is estimated that as many as 1,500 former LIRR employees are involved in the scheme.
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Do you think it's fair to allow those who admit to disability fraud to keep their past benefits? Tell us in the comments.
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