8 Years In Prison For Doctor In LIRR Fraud Scheme
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- An orthopedist was sentenced to eight years in prison Friday for scheming to help Long Island Rail Road employees receive disability payments by exaggerating or making up ailments.
Dr. Peter Lesniewski was sentenced Manhattan U.S. District Court for his role in the LIRR disability fraud scheme.
Federal prosecutors called Lesniewski the "go-to'' doctor for diagnosing fake ailments that he never treated. Prosecutors said Lesniewski got about $1,000 for each patient he assisted. They said he also received hundreds of thousands of dollars in health insurance payments for unnecessary medical treatments.
In addition to his prison sentence, the 63-year-old Rockville Centre resident was ordered to pay $70.6 million in restitution and forfeit $70.9 million in assets.
Lesniewski did not speak at his sentencing.
<a title="8 Years In Prison For Former LIRR Conductor In Fraud Scheme" href="http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/12/21/8-years-in-prison-for-former-lirr-conductor-in-fraud-scheme/" Rutigliano was also sentenced to eight years in prison back in December.
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