Prosecutors expect to wrap up LIRR disability fraud case

Prosecutors in the Long Island Rail Road disability fraud trial said Tuesday that they expect to wrap up their case on Wednesday in federal court in Manhattan.

Former LIRR conductor Michael Costanza of Merrick, 60, and former crew manager Frederick Catalano, 52, of Nesconset, are charged in the case with making phony disability claims to the federal Railroad Retirement Board.

The trial began last week. U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood said that if prosecutors, as expected, complete their case on Wednesday, the defense case -- including expected testimony from Catalano -- will begin on Thursday.