Nassau County District Attorney Denis Dillon recently announced that the DA's Criminal Frauds Bureau has arrested three individuals who collected workers' compensation benefits totaling more than $76,939 that they were not entitled to receive.

"Working with the New York State Insurance Department, the New York State Insurance Fund, and the Inspector General of the New York State Workers Compensation Board, my office brought charges against three people for fraudulently claiming $76,939 in Workers' Compensation benefits," said Dillon.

"Far from being a victimless crime," Dillon continued, "insurance fraud is a crime against consumers, who pay the price when they take out a policy and pay the premium. It's estimated that insurance fraud is costing the average American family over $1,650 each year in increased premiums and taxes.

"These particular crimes point up the widespread problem of workers' compensation fraud in that they cut across a variety of industries in which workers, some classified as 'permanently disabled,' filed claims for work-related injuries and then at some point returned to work while continuing to collect benefits illegally. This is an example of the type of 'double dipping' that drives up the cost of workers' compensation insurance for everybody," NYSIF acting co-executive directors Christopher Barclay and Douglas Hayden said in a joint statement.

Barclay and Hayden continued, "In this instance alone, just a handful of dishonest claimants would account for a tab passed on to consumers in actual fraud and estimated future benefit payments of more than $332,000, all while gainfully employed and collecting salaries. It must stop. Those who commit these felonies must be brought to justice. The New York State Insurance Fund, through the assistance of officials such as Nassau County District Attorney Denis Dillon and other law enforcement authorities, is committed to holding accountable to the fullest extent of the law any individual, business or medical provider found guilty of felony workers' compensation fraud."

Dillon stated that Dion Lonigro, 40, of Farmingdale. Lonigro claimed to have injured his back and right knee while employed as a driver for Long Island Beverage Company. He applied for workers' compensation benefits. On September 12, 2003, he was classified as temporarily partially disabled. He was authorized to receive benefits of $300 per week. Dillon stated that Lonigro could have worked and made up to $150 per week while maintaining his full workers' compensation benefits. "Lonigro repeatedly reported he was not working. In reality, he was working as a painter and making more than $150 a week. Video surveillance shows that Lonigro was working from March 2004 through January 2005. He never reported he was working and collected approximately $11,760 in benefits during the period he was employed. According to his boss he made approximately $330 per week. Lonigro has been charged with three counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree and one count of Workers' Compensation Fraud, both Class E Felonies," Stated Dillon.

A Westbury and West Babylon resident were also charged.

The defendants were to be arraigned in First District Court, Hempstead. The charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.