8 Years In Prison For Former LIRR Conductor In Fraud Scheme
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A former Long Island Rail Road conductor was sentenced this week to eight years in prison, after being convicted of playing a role in a massive disability fraud scheme.
U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero handed down the prison term to Joseph Rutigliano, 66, on Friday.
Rutigliano, of Holtsville, was convicted in August of scheming to help LIRR employees receive disability payments by exaggerating or making up ailments.
Prosecutors said Rutigliano was a consultant who made hundreds of thousands of dollars orchestrating phony claims for hundreds of LIRR workers. They said he pocketed $409,000 benefits by claiming it was hard to grip a pen -- but became a regular golfer in retirement.
His lawyer said Rutigliano was ``railroaded'' and said he'd appeal.
Dozens of others have pleaded guilty in the case.
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