7 Arrested For Insurance, Workers Comp Fraud
Posted on Thursday, 22 of October , 2009 at 5:59 pm
NASSAU CONTY—A sweep targeting county residents who steal undeserved workers’ compensation and insurance benefits has resulted in charges being filed against seven people who, combined, stole more than $50,000.
Charged in the sweep are:
Sean Tolliver, 50, of West Hempstead. Tolliver, a social worker at the Nassau County Juvenile Detention Center, sustained a head injury in September 2008 after an incident with a resident. Upon his release from the hospital, he was advised he could return to work. He did not and continued to receive full pay after testifying at a Workers’ Compensation Board hearing that he required the constant use of a sling and a cane. Routine surveillance observed Tolliver jogging from his home to a Rockville Centre gym, lifting weights, and then jogging home, prosecutors said. He has allegedly fraudulently collected more than $17,000 from Nassau County. He is charged with third degree grand larceny and first degree perjury. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.
Robin Ardiano, 30, of Hempstead. Ardiano sustained a foot injury while working as a construction worker, and was awarded workers’ compensation benefits of $175 per week. Ardiano signed three recertification letters in which he denied returning to work. An investigation revealed that he had returned to work in August 2008 and failed to notify the Workers’ Compensation board. He allegedly fraudulently collected $7,525 in benefits. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 7 topPenalties for fraudulent practices and sentenced to pay full restitution.
John Buonagura, 46, of Floral Park. Buonagura sustained a back injury while working as a bridge operator for Nassau County and was awarded workers’ compensation benefits of $175 per week. An investigation revealed that he returned to work as a dental mechanic installing and repairing dentists’ chairs. Buonagura allegedly collected more than $14,700 in fraudulent benefits. He is charged with third degree grand larceny, first degree falsifying business records and penalties for fraudulent practices. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted
Thore Foss, 42, of Lake Ronkonkoma. Foss allegedly submitted false insurance certificates to a contractor claiming he had workers’ compensation insurance. The contractor suspected that the certificates were not legitimate and he contacted the New York State Insurance Fund. Foss is charged with second degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and falsifying business records in the first degree. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.
Marcos Gamboa, 25, of Sea Cliff. Gamboa sustained an injury in April 2003 to his head and back while working as a warehouse worker, and was awarded weekly benefits of $116.69. Prosecutors say routine surveillance revealed Gamboa working at a bagel store. Gamboa had testified under oath at a Workers’ Compensation hearing that he hadn’t worked on or off the books and was aware that he must contact his attorney and the State Insurance Fund before returning to work. Gamboa allegedly stole more than $8,000 in undeserved benefits. He is charged with third degree grand larceny, third degree insurance fraud, first degree offering a false instrument for filing, first degree perjury and penalties for fraudulent acts. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.
Chander Nigam, 72, of Roslyn Estates. Nigam allegedly submitted altered receipts for various home repairs to State Farm Insurance Company for wind damage. Nigam submitted bills that were marked paid to State Farm. However, these bills were only estimates of what repairs would cost, prosecutors say. The total owed to State Farm is $3,550. Nigam is charged with second degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, third degree insurance fraud and first degree falsifying business records. Nigam faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.
Neil Grange, 51, of Port Washington. Grange allegedly submitted false insurance certificates to a contractor claiming he had workers’ compensation insurance. The contractor suspected that the certificates were not legitimate and he contacted the New York State Insurance Frauds Bureau. Grange is charged with second degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and first degree falsifying business records.
The sweep was the result of an investigation by the District Attorney’s Office, Nassau County Commissioner of Investigations, New York State Insurance Department’s Frauds Bureau, New York State Insurance Fund, and the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board, Office of the Inspector General. 10-22-09
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Category: Courts, Crime, Disabled, Government, Insurance, New York State
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