The late Long Island orthopedist Ralph Parisi was identified in court yesterday as the third doctor implicated in the massive LIRR “gravy train” disability scheme.
Manhattan federal prosecutor Justin Weddle disclosed Parisi’s name during discussions about the possibility of holding separate fraud trials next year for two other doctors — Peter Ajemian and Peter Lesniewski — and about a dozen railroad workers for whom they allegedly provided phony diagnoses of career-ending injuries.
Parisi died last year at age 74, about six months before the feds cracked the alleged scam. on the federal Railroad Retirement Board, in which more than 1,500 pensioners may have taken part.
Prosecutors previously identified Parisi in court papers only as “Disability Doctor — 3,” although a 2008 Post report revealed that he had been subpoenaed by state investigators.
Parisi declined to comment at the time, and two of his sons, Ralph Jr. and Steve, didn’t return calls yesterday.
Eight former LIRR workers who scammed disability pensions have pleaded guilty in recent weeks — including some who struck cooperation deals — and Weddle said yesterday “it’s possible” that even more will soon plead out.