Merrick Man Convicted in LIRR Fraud Case

A federal jury recently convicted Michael Costanza, a Merrick resident and Long Island Rail Road retiree who was accused of disability fraud, of fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud according to an article in the LI Herald. 

Costanza now faces a maximum of 55 years in prison, the LI Herald reported. 

Costanza, a former conductor and Fred Catalano, a crew foreman, were charged with being part of a decade long scheme by doctors, consultants and numerous retirees to supplement early retirement pensions with phony disability claims.

Thirty-one of 33 defendants have been convicted or have pleaded guilty to date.