Editorial: LIRR disability fraud has hefty price tag
$1 billion -- That's the estimated sum a widespread disability scheme among Long Island Rail Road retirees could have cost the federal Railroad Retirement Board if the fraud hadn't been uncovered.
After a federal probe, the board cut benefits for 600 LIRR retirees who were certified as disabled by a Garden City doctor who later pleaded guilty to conspiracy.
Now the LIRR wants to revoke their pensions as well. Workers who are truly disabled can reapply for disability benefits -- a hassle, probably, but a crucial step to whittle out those who committed fraud.