A gun-loving LIRR retiree nailed in the $1 billion “gravy train” disability scam had the book thrown at him Friday for “egregious” behavior that included threatening to kill a key witness against him.
Manhattan federal Judge Kimba Wood sentenced former conductor Thomas Coscetta, 62, to 33 months behind bars — the maximum recommended under his September plea deal — but said she thought he deserved even more time.
Coscetta has been in custody since September when he had his bail revoked for making repeated threats to the witness at a Long Island gun club where both are members, calling him a “rat” and telling the man and other members he was going to kill him.
Coscetta expressed sorrow for the incident Friday, saying through his lawyer that he never planned to carry out the threat.
Wood, however, said Coscetta had no legitimate reason for boasting he was “going to kill him, that S.O.B!”
“That is, quite frankly, frightening behavior for a man skilled at using guns and having access to guns,” she said.
Coscetta in September pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges. He claimed $307,501 in false disability benefits through early retirement for bogus ailments.