Among 32 Cuffed For Larceny
A long-time Community Board 9 member and former police officer was among 32 individuals indicted last week as part of the ongoing investigation into a massive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) fraud scheme.
Sam (Saverio) Esposito, 48, of Ozone Park was arrested last Tuesday, Feb. 25, on grand larceny and criminal facilitation charges for his alleged participation in the scam, in which first responders faked psychological conditions in order to receive disability benefits.
The arrests came nearly two months after over 100 individuals- including 17 Queens residents-were initially indicted for their alleged roles in the scheme through an investigation spearheaded by the office of Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance.
Reportedly, many of the alleged participants claimed the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks caused the psychiatric conditions they purportedly suffered.
In addition to the 28 individuals charged last Tuesday, four defendants in the January indictment-Raymond Lavallee, 83; Thomas Hale, 89; Joseph Esposito, 64, who is Sam Esposito’s father; and John Minerva, 61-were re-arrested on additional counts of grand larceny and conspiracy for allegedly leading the scam.
As “ringleaders,” District Attorney Vance stated, the four main defendants allegedly coached the other indicted individuals into providing false information to the Social Security Administration in order to receive SSDI benefits. The four reportedly received kickbacks from the applicants.
“Last month’s indictment was the first step in ending a massive fraud against American taxpayers,” Vance said in a press release last Tuesday. “These defendants are accused of gaming the system by lying about their lifestyle, including their ability to work, drive, handle money, shop and socialize, in order to obtain benefits to which they were not entitled. Their lies were repetitive and extensive.”
Along with Sam Esposito, four other Queens residents were named in the indictment: Geoffrey Davila, 47, of Ozone Park; Joseph Jannis, 47, of Howard Beach; John Joyce, 49, of Rockaway Point; and Jose E. Medina, 50.
Esposito’s arrest was the latest episode of turmoil to hit Board 9. In November, a contingent of members tried to oust him from his seat last fall after he sent the board a mass email with comments that some interpreted to be anti-Semitic.
In the end, the board voted against removing Esposito, but three of its members resigned in protest.
According to published reports, Esposito had been recently working to round up votes to remove Board 9 Chairperson James Coccovillo-who entertained the unsuccessful ouster vote against Esposito-from his position in the board’s March election.
Regarding the indictment, Esposito was arraigned last Tuesday in New York Criminal Court and released on his own recognizance, according to court records. He is scheduled to return to court on Apr. 7.
