Hudson Valley Man, Former Cop, Guilty of Disability Fraud

A Hudson Valley man and former NYPD sergeant is guilty of stealing over $600,000 in disability fraud.

In Southern District of New York Court, 56-year-old Thomas Shea, of Stony Point plead guilty to fraudulently obtaining more than $600,000 in disability benefits from the Social Security Administration.

According to court documents, in 1994 Shea submitted a false applicant for disability benefits that contained misrepresentations regarding his health. While collecting the disability benefits, he was employed in a number of positions and failed to report his work to the Social Security Administration.

“Thomas Shea defrauded the Social Security Administration for over twenty years, fraudulently collecting more than half a million dollars of funds meant for people who are the truly disabled,” Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated.

“This investigation should serve as a warning to people who choose to selfishly defraud Social Security’s disability programs,” said Special Agent in Charge John F. Grasso.

Shea plead guilty to one count of theft of government funds, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on October 7.

Shea also must pay around $622,843 in restitution.