Court documents released today include a transcript of a suspect in an alleged multi-million dollar fraud coaching a New York City employee on how to fake depression and anxiety.
The call allegedly recorded Joseph Esposito, 70, advising the person to "pretend" to have "panic attacks."
He also "coaches" the employee on how to behave when faced with a medical panel considering the application for disability benefits:
"Okay. When you get there, usually the first question they ask you is "How did you get here?" You're gonna say "My sister drove me." The next question they generally ask is "Who does the cooking, cleaning, shopping in your house?" You're gonna say "My mother" and your sister. They, they drove [U/I] for you. When you get to see the doctor, he's gonna ask you questions. He's not trying to trick you. He, uh, they ask these questions, different variations for everybody. They just want to see if you can concentrate. They'll say to you, "But what do you do with yourself all day? How do you spend your day?" You're gonna tell 'em "I don't sleep well at night. I'm up three, four times. Usually, I, I nap on and off during the day. I put the television on, you know, I keep changing channels 'cause I, I can't concentrate on the television. Just, just to hear a voice in the house." And they're liable to say, "From the word—spell the word "world," so you go "W-R-L-D." Then they're gonna say "Spell it backwards." You think about it, and you can't spell it backwards. Then they're liable to say "From a hundred, subtract seven." You know, a hundred, ninety-three, and then you're trying to concentrate, and make it to eighty-six or eighty-five, you know. You're not too sure. Then they might tell you, uh—"I'm going to tell you three things to remember. A spoon, a fork, and a dish," and they're going to ask you later on in the conversation to remember them. You remember one of them. No jewelry, no cellphone – uh, when you're talking to the guy, don't look directly at him. You know, put your head down now and then, don't answer right away. You know, pause for a second. You're just trying to show that, you know, you're depressed. You, you can't, you, you don't have any desire for anything, and if can, you pretend you have panic attacks?
Tuesday, 7 January 2014
More than 100 current, former NYC employees to be charged with disability scam
A law enforcement official says more than 100 current and former city workers, including dozens of police officers and firefighters, are being charged with faking psychiatric problems in order to get federal disability benefits.
Arrests in the sweeping case began early Tuesday morning. An afternoon news conference is planned at Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr.'s office. Arraignments are expected to begin Tuesday.
The official says the scam stretched back more than two decades, with the ex-officers and other workers claiming mental health problems so severe that they couldn't work at all.
The official wasn't authorized to discuss the case and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Huge 9/11 Fraud Case Accuses Retired New York Cops, Firefighters
Scores of retired New York City police, fire and corrections officers were arrested today in a crackdown on disability fraud stemming from the Sept. 11 terror attacks. The fraud cost taxpayers millions of dollars, prosecutors claim.
The Manhattan district attorney's office accuses the retired workers, along with their lawyers and doctors, of faking work-related stress, including feigned psychiatric disorders related to 9/11.
Among those busted today was John Minerva, the disability consultant for the Detectives Endowment Association, officials said.
Today's arrests cap a two year investigation, aided by federal investigators, the city's Department of Investigation and the NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau.
The alleged fraud cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in improper Social Security benefits.
None of the accused actually suffered from debilitating stress, officials claim. Many were caught working after retirement, a violation of disability benefits.
And some of the retired officers retained their gun permits. Retired officers cannot possess guns if they are being treated for stress.
The 9/11 attacks took a heavy toll on the city's cops, called "New York's Finest," and firefighters, dubbed "New York's Bravest." The casualty count from the terror attacks included 23 police officers and 343 firefighters.
Most of the arrests in the fraud sweep took place in the city, with others being busted in Florida and elsewhere in New York State.
It was the second 9/11 scam to be revealed this week. On Monday, two New Jersey men pleaded guilty to raising and keeping $50,000 for a Sept. 11 charity that was supposed to help families who lost loved one in the catastrophe.
Thomas Scalgione and Mark Niemczyk never gave any of the more than $50,000 in proceeds to the victims' families or to charities as promised, they told the court.
The Manhattan district attorney's office accuses the retired workers, along with their lawyers and doctors, of faking work-related stress, including feigned psychiatric disorders related to 9/11.
Among those busted today was John Minerva, the disability consultant for the Detectives Endowment Association, officials said.
Today's arrests cap a two year investigation, aided by federal investigators, the city's Department of Investigation and the NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau.
The alleged fraud cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in improper Social Security benefits.
None of the accused actually suffered from debilitating stress, officials claim. Many were caught working after retirement, a violation of disability benefits.
And some of the retired officers retained their gun permits. Retired officers cannot possess guns if they are being treated for stress.
The 9/11 attacks took a heavy toll on the city's cops, called "New York's Finest," and firefighters, dubbed "New York's Bravest." The casualty count from the terror attacks included 23 police officers and 343 firefighters.
Most of the arrests in the fraud sweep took place in the city, with others being busted in Florida and elsewhere in New York State.
It was the second 9/11 scam to be revealed this week. On Monday, two New Jersey men pleaded guilty to raising and keeping $50,000 for a Sept. 11 charity that was supposed to help families who lost loved one in the catastrophe.
Thomas Scalgione and Mark Niemczyk never gave any of the more than $50,000 in proceeds to the victims' families or to charities as promised, they told the court.
VEMA Scribe Program
The following is a message from the VEMA Scribe Program.
Email: scribeprogram@gmail.com
Website/Application: http://www.vemascribes.com”
“Virginia Emergency Medical Associates is recruiting applicants to join our highly competitive scribe program in Northern Virginia, where we are affiliated with two emergency departments: 1) Inova Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax, and 2) Fauquier Hospital in Warrenton. We are seeking motivated and hardworking individuals who are eager to work as medical scribes. Our scribes gain significant first-hand exposure to patient care in a fast-paced emergency room setting. If you would like more information about our program and our requirements, please visit our website: http://www.vemascribes.com/
This is a full-time, paid position for individuals seeking admission to medical, PA, or nursing schools. If you are graduating in May 2014 (or have previously graduated) and are able to commit one continuous year to the program, we invite you to apply. We also offer part-time positions as well, which require a continuous 18-month commitment. Applications for the 2014-2015 cycle are now available on our website.
The role of the scribe:
- Recording patient histories in an electronic medical record (EMR)
- Transcribing details of the physical exam and patient orders in the EMR
- Documenting procedures performed by the physician
- Continuously monitoring laboratory tests, imaging studies, patient progress, and other evaluation studies
- Recording physician dictated diagnoses, prescriptions, and instructions
Our scribes accompany ER physicians to the bedside for the evaluation and treatment of all patients. Scribes observe medical resuscitation for cases of cardiac and respiratory arrest as well as other emergency procedures including central lines, lumbar punctures, conscious sedations, and chest tube placements.
Our program offers the advantage of working with a small group of physicians. VEMA scribes build close relationships with our physicians who offer mentorship, teaching, and insights into a career in medicine. Our physicians are open to conducting mock interviews to help scribes prepare for admissions season. As a VEMA scribe, you will be able to strengthen your application with letters of recommendation from physicians who know you personally and have worked with you extensively.
Thank you for your interest in our program.
Raj Chand, MD
VEMA Scribes Contact Information
Senior Scribe: Megan StangebyEmail: scribeprogram@gmail.com
Website/Application: http://www.vemascribes.com”
Thursday, 2 January 2014
GoDental Intern Opportunity
GoDental, an American Dental Education Association (ADEA) program dedicated to providing resources and networking opportunities to predental and prehygiene students from all backgrounds, including those who are from a disadvantaged or diverse background, is looking for a creative and enthusiastic intern to spread the word about the GoDental web and programmatic efforts to reach a diverse applicant pool for dental schools across the country as a GoDental Brand Ambassador. The chosen intern will attend the 2014 ADEA Annual Session at no cost to the student and be able to participate in a number of engaging educational sessions about dental education and “the science of learning.”
Click Here for more information.
Columbia University Virtual Info Session; Friday, January 10th 5:00PM
Virtual Info Session
Hosted by
The Office of Diversity & Multicultural Affairs
Columbia University
College of Physicians & Surgeons
Presentation Agenda
NERA MedPrep Program - 5:00pm to 5:30pm EST
Summer Medical & Dental Education Program - 5:30pm to 6:00pm EST
Summer Public Health Scholars Program - 6:00pm to 6:30pm EST
RSVP here!
For more information about the Virtual Info Session, please click here.
Please e-mail oda-ps@columbia.edu if you have any questions.
VCOM Letters of Recommendation Change
The following is a message from VCOM regarding letters of recommendation.
"If your student applies to VCOM and has not shadowed a DO, he/she may submit a letter from an MD to complete his/her file. This will be sufficient to be considered for an interview. If accepted, the student would then be required to shadow a DO after acceptance but prior to matriculation. We will help that person locate a DO if he/she cannot find one from among DOs we have had prior students shadow.
"If your student applies to VCOM and has not shadowed a DO, he/she may submit a letter from an MD to complete his/her file. This will be sufficient to be considered for an interview. If accepted, the student would then be required to shadow a DO after acceptance but prior to matriculation. We will help that person locate a DO if he/she cannot find one from among DOs we have had prior students shadow.
Of course, if the applicant has time and can shadow a DO (i.e., your applicants for the August 2015 cycle) that is beneficial for them to do, as it shows their commitment to the profession. However, we know that applicants at this time of year may have a difficulty scheduling and “getting in” to shadow a DO and we don’t want them to delay getting in their application completed right away. Therefore, we will accept a letter from either an MD or DO which demonstrates their understanding of what it is like to be a physician and will be considered for an interview and acceptance.
I hope this helps your applicants. The most important thing is to apply or complete the application process now for this cycle. Our seat are filling up and after we are filled wait list spots will only be available."
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