Five current and former New York State corrections officers have been charged in separate schemes, accused of defrauding the state’s prison system and workers’ compensation fund out of more than $15,000.
The charges follow an 18-month investigation by the New York State Inspector General’s Office into alleged workers’ compensation fraud at the Ulster and Wallkill Correctional Facilities. Officials say the cases involved fake medical paperwork, falsified injury claims, and off-the-books work while collecting full state pay.
Ulster County District Attorney Emmanuel Nneji said the arrests send a clear message that fraud within the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision will not be tolerated.
“Workers’ compensation fraud is not a victimless crime,” Nneji said. “Every dollar stolen through deceit is a dollar diverted from legitimate injury claims and essential state programs. This kind of conduct gives a bad name to honest public officers.”
Inspector General Lucy Lang said the schemes worsen staffing shortages and undermine safety inside New York’s prisons, adding that the investigation highlights a pattern of abuse within the correctional system’s workers’ comp program.
According to investigators, three officers allegedly filed forged medical documents for injuries and medical visits that never happened. Another claimed to be 100% disabled due to an eye injury while secretly working as a state-funded home health aide. A fifth allegedly submitted more than 20 fake sick notes over two years to collect unearned pay and take time off.
Those charged include:
- Christine Donovan, 41, of Lake Katrine: Accused of submitting two forged medical notes, collecting nearly $5,940 in unearned benefits.
- Jeremy LaChance, 42, of Kerhonkson: Accused of filing 22 forged sick notes, receiving about $3,020 in improper sick leave pay.
- Ashli Paulino, 36, of Mountain Dale: Accused of submitting two fake workers’ comp forms worth $1,719.
- Brian Porter, 49, of Monticello: Accused of filing a forged medical form for a nonexistent appointment, collecting $1,054 in benefits.
- Anthony Tacti, 34, of Kerhonkson: Accused of working as a home health aide while on disability leave, allegedly collecting more than $9,000 in improper wages and benefits.
Three of the defendants were arraigned this week and released. Two others were issued appearance tickets and will face arraignment at a later date.
State Police Superintendent Steven James said the officers’ actions “undermine the trust placed in all public servants,” adding that law enforcement agencies will continue to pursue those who abuse their positions for personal gain.
Officials say the investigation involved cooperation between the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Inspector General’s team. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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