The feds are weighing charges against “a bunch” of additional LIRR retirees for allegedly scamming disability pensions, a prosecutor revealed yesterday.
Seven former Long Island Rail Road workers were busted last year in a massive retirement-fraud scheme, but Manhattan federal prosecutor Justin Weddle said that number may grow when a new indictment is handed up.
Weddle told a judge that the new indictment, which is expected in about six weeks, will seek forfeiture of the ill-gotten gains generated by the $1 billion-plus scam.
He also said, “There is a contemplation there will be other defendants, your honor.”
Weddle didn’t name any names or say how many people might be busted, but he noted that authorities have been reviewing the medical records of about 1,500 retirees as part of an ongoing probe.
According to the feds, three doctors — one of whom has since died — ran “disability mills” where they falsely diagnosed injuries so LIRR workers could retire early at nearly full pay.
One of the docs, orthopedist Peter Ajemian, skipped yesterday’s court session after presenting a doctor’s note that said he needed to limit his travel after straining his back.