More Than 100 to Be Arrested in Federal Disability Fraud Bust

Federal and local investigators plan to arrest 106 people Tuesday as part of one of the largest Social Security disability fraud busts in U.S. history, a person familiar with the arrests said, alleging that a number of former New York fire department and police officials improperly obtained benefits by cheating the application process.

Several dozen arrests had been made early Tuesday and more were expected before a 1 p.m. press conference in New York. The arrests are being carried out in about 10 states.

In addition to 102 Social Security disability beneficiaries, authorities are expected to arrest four people who helped them navigate the disability application process and coach them on how to get benefits, the person said. This includes one lawyer, one disability consultant, and two "recruiters," the person said.

More Than 100 to Be Arrested in Federal Disability Fraud Bust - WSJ.com

One lawyer.

It is illegal to help someone navigate the application process. That seems like a gray area when it is the applicant who actually has to sign the application. If it were like tax preparers having to sign someone else's tax forms they help prepare, then maybe.

Should they also arrest the same type of people who help people get scholarships?

AliHajiSheik said:

It is illegal to help someone navigate the application process. That seems like a gray area when it is the applicant who actually has to sign the application. If it were like tax preparers having to sign someone else's tax forms they help prepare, then maybe.

Should they also arrest the same type of people who help people get scholarships?

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Navigating the application process and assisting in the commission of fraud are different beasties. Though these days I'm on the verge of believing that half of what comes out of federal prosecutors' mouths are lies....

AliHajiSheik said:

It is illegal to help someone navigate the application process. That seems like a gray area when it is the applicant who actually has to sign the application. If it were like tax preparers having to sign someone else's tax forms they help prepare, then maybe.

Should they also arrest the same type of people who help people get scholarships?

Click to expand...

Perhaps they helped them to cheat and lie. If not then I wouldn't see why they need to be arrested. I speak of the navigators of course.