Arrests are being carried out in over 10 states as part of an investigation into a massive Social Security fraud scheme.
The joint federal and state investigation alleges that over $24 million has been dispersed in fraudulent disability payments. At least 102 of the people being arrested are beneficiaries that claimed to be unable to work a job or leave their home but were witnessed leading very active lives.
In addition, lawyers, disability consultants, and recruiters are facing multiple charges for their parts in the scheme including coaching people to defraud the government.
A source told the Wall Street Journal a number of former NYPD and NYFD members will be arrested as part of the fraud.
The Social Security Administration has been focusing on fraud under pressure from Congress to tighten up the disability process. Six months ago, investigators arrested 70 people from Puerto Rico on similar charges.
The weekend after Thanksgiving was big for more than just most of the nation’s retailers.
Retail chain Target reportedly was hit by a massive identity theft attack where as many as 40 million credit and debit card accounts could have had their information taken by hackers.
Target released a statement saying that customers who used credit or debit cards between November 27th and December 15th could have compromised accounts. Information stolen included customer names, credit and debit card numbers, expiration dates and even the three digit security code included on the back of the card.
Target did not release information about how the hackers cracked their system which reportedly included installing software on card readers. The company assured customers the problem has been fixed.
The U.S. Secret Service is investigating the theft because it involves currency transactions.
A man convicted of masterminding a $100 million fraud involving Navy veterans could be spending the rest of his life in prison.
John Donald Cody, 67, is a Harvard-trained attorney who was convicted of racketeering, theft, money laundering and 12 counts of identity theft in connection with his looting of the United States Navy Veterans Association.
Cody defrauded veterans and supporters in 41 states but Ohio took the lead in prosecuting him. He was arrested after spending two years on the run after hiding out in Portland, Oregon. Only a small amount of the $100 million was found.
The Ohio state attorney general’s office, which handled the prosecution, is asking the judge to sentence Cody to 41 years in prison and a fine of $6.3 million.
Cody’s defense team is calling for a new trial saying that their legal defense was ineffective because of limited preparation time and their client’s erratic behavior and cooperation.