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9/11 Cops Accused of Faking Disability

Ten retired members of the New York City Police and Fire Departments who now call South Florida home are charged with defrauding the Social Security system of tens of thousands of dollars. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office alleges the defendants, one of them, Glenn Lieberman of Palm Beach Gardens, falsely claimed to suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after aiding in the rescue efforts after the 9/11 attacks, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

The indictment released last week charged more than 80 retirees in the multi-million dollar fraud. Prosecutors said several men, including John Quinn of Broward County and Ronald Conner of Boca Raton, accepted disability payments totalling over $108,000 and $160,600, respectively. Prosecutors are now investigating all the claims, including those not citing 9/11. The men face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Originally founded in December 2006 as an independent grassroots publication dedicated to coverage of health issues in Florida, Health News Florida was acquired by WUSF Public Media in September 2012.