Rikers Correction Officer Lied to Obtain Workers’ Compensation Benefits

A corrections officer at New York City’s Rikers Island prison has pleaded guilty to receiving more than $200,000 in workers’ compensation benefits to which he was not entitled, prosecutors reported.

According to Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jovanny Concepcion pled guilty on June 1 to making false statements to obtain benefits.

“As he has now admitted, Jovanny Concepcion fraudulently received hundreds of thousands of dollars from New York City taxpayers by falsely claiming injuries following incidents where force was used against an incarcerated person,” said Clayton.

The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board administers the state’s no-fault workers’ compensation system including for employees of the New York City Department of Correction (DOC). According to the board, for years (2019 to 2013) while Concepcion was employed by the DOC as a correction officer at Rikers Island, he falsely claimed that he was injured while on duty during incidents with incarcerated individuals requiring the use of force.

The indictment says he would also make repeated false statement to medical professionals regarding his alleged injuries when, in fact, he was not experiencing the symptoms he claimed.

Prosecutors cited evidence from surveillance footage, items seized from his cellphone, and other public information to show Concepcion lied about his injuries and symptoms.

In total, Concepcion received at least $232,427 in benefits for which he did ot qualify.

Concepcion, of New York, pled guilty to one count of making false statements related to health care matters, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Concepcion is scheduled to be sentenced on September 10.

Topics Workers' Compensation Talent