2 Men Arrested In Student Aid Scam Involving Special Needs Students

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York City officials said two men scammed the Department of Education out of more than $1 million in phony services for special needs students.

The Special Commissioner of Investigation said William Cruz and Nelson Ruiz billed the district for sign language instruction and other services never actually provided.

Ruiz was arrested Friday; it wasn't clear if he had an attorney. Authorities said Cruz remains at large.

The investigation was launched in February.

Officials say in one instance, the men claimed to have given sign language instruction to a student who wasn't deaf and didn't need it.

In another, a student never received sign language interpretation services but the DOE was billed.

New York City school district has about 1 million students.

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