| Brendan Buck (202) 226-4774 |
Johnson Responds to 28 More Indictments in New York Disability Fraud SchemeWashington, DC – Today, Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security Chairman Sam Johnson (R-TX) issued the following statement in response to additional indictments in the Social Security Disability Insurance fraud in New York City.
“Today we learned that the New York disability fraud scheme carried out by retired police officers and fire fighters was more rampant than we originally thought. I am outraged that these trusted public servants would engage in such deception. Stealing money from a program that in two years won’t be able to pay full benefits to those who truly need them is deplorable. This further reinforces the American public’s serious doubts about the Social Security Administration’s ability to prevent fraud in this vital program. “I suspect that the incidents in New York and Puerto Rico are not the last major fraud cases to make headlines. That’s why tomorrow, as part of my efforts to hold Social Security accountable, the Subcommittee on Social Security will hear from Acting Commissioner Colvin on a previously requested action plan to stop disability fraud schemes. The time for excuses is over, which is why I will be introducing legislation to help stop conspiracy fraud that cheats hardworking taxpayers and honest beneficiaries. This legislation will take an important step forward in protecting the Social Security Disability Insurance program.” |