Former New York Postal Worker Sentenced for Workers’ Comp Fraud

A former postal employee has been sentenced to serve three years on probation for workers’ compensation fraud.

Christine O’Neill, 61, of Johnson City, New York, was sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy for defrauding the U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Department of Labor of $46,287 by making false statements and representations to obtain federal workers’ compensation benefits.

O’Neill falsely represented that she was not employed, self-employed or involved in any business enterprise during periods of time in 2015 and 2016 when she was collecting federal workers’ compensation benefits.

She was receiving benefits based on a claimed injury to her back that she said made her unable to perform any work functions for the Postal Service. However, O’Neill ran her own company, Chris’ Cookies and Cakes, preparing and delivering cakes and cookies to customers during the times she collected benefits.

Agents videotaped O’Neill selling baked goods at a local craft fair during the course of their investigation and bought baked goods from O’Neill who provided the undercover agent with a business card.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown.

Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of New York

Topics New York Fraud Workers' Compensation