Officials: Sanitation Worker Faked Fall For Workplace Injury Benefits

NEW YORK (AP) -- Authorities say a former New York City sanitation worker schemed to extract workplace injury benefits and win a lawsuit by faking a fall on the threshold of a city-owned clinic.

Ricky Cernera was released without bail after pleading not guilty Thursday to grand larceny, perjury and other charges. His lawyer didn't immediately return a call.

The city Department of Investigation says Cernera falsely claimed he tripped and broke his wrist on a faulty sidewalk outside the clinic in 2008. He was headed for an examination to see whether he could return to work from an unrelated sick leave.

The city paid more than $7,600 in medical bills. Investigators say they later found he hadn't fallen outside the clinic.

Cernera sought unspecified damages in a 2009 lawsuit that was later closed.

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