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Five correction officers in Ulster County have been charged with grand larceny for allegedly defrauding the state's workers' compensation system. According to Ulster County District Attorney Emmanuel Nneji, the officers, who are current or former employees at the Ulster and Wallkill correctional facilities, were arrested following an 18-month investigation by the state Office of the Inspector General.
The investigation uncovered separate fraudulent schemes to obtain unearned sick leave and workers' compensation benefits, resulting in a loss of more than $15,000 to the state. Christine Donovan, 41, and Jeremy LaChance, 42, both face charges of third-degree grand larceny and two counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing. Anthony Tacti, 34, is charged with two counts of third-degree grand larceny, fraudulent practices, third-degree insurance fraud, and health care fraud. All three were arraigned on Thursday (October 30) and released.
The other two officers, Ashli Paulino, 36, and Brian Porter, 49, have been charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing. They have been issued appearance tickets for arraignment at a later date.
Nneji emphasized the seriousness of the crime, stating, "Workers’ compensation fraud is not a victimless crime. Every dollar stolen through deceit is a dollar diverted from legitimate injury claims and essential State programs." The officers' actions are particularly concerning given their roles as public officers entrusted with maintaining the safety and security of New York's correctional facilities.