ALBANY, NY – A former New York State correction officer has been sentenced for felony workers’ compensation fraud after an investigation by the Offices of the New York State Inspector General revealed that her claimed on-the-job injuries were contradicted by surveillance video, New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang announced today.
Jennifer Bardin-Lapan, formerly employed by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) at Great Meadow Correctional Facility, was sentenced in Washington County Court after being convicted of falsifying workplace injury claims in order to collect nearly $70,000 in public benefits. Following her previously entered felony plea to a violation of Workers Compensation Law §114 and as part of her sentencing this morning, Bardin-Lapan paid $24,000 in restitution, signed a waiver permanently forfeiting any future workers’ compensation benefits related to her claim, and was sentenced to three years of probation. The sentence is contingent upon her paying an additional $16,000 in restitution within 90 days, for a total restitution amount of $40,000.
In November 2022, Bardin-Lapan reported injuries to her back, knee, and groin that she alleged had occurred during a use-of-force incident with an incarcerated individual. She was treated by multiple medical providers and independent medical examiners following the incident and gave multiple inconsistent versions of how she sustained the injury, however video evidence obtained during the Inspector General’s investigation showed no fall, no physical trauma, and no contact consistent with the injuries she described. Before her benefits were suspended, she had received $69,874.48 in workers’ compensation and contractual payments.
“Lying to receive workers’ compensation is a crime that undermines necessary protections intended for workers who are genuinely injured on the job,” said New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang. “In addition to undermining public trust and diverting taxpayer dollars from those who truly need assistance, for this corrections officer, charged with keeping New York’s prisons safe, it is all the more unconscionable. Fraud against public programs will be uncovered and prosecuted.”
The Inspector General’s Office worked closely with the Washington County District Attorney’s Office to bring the case to resolution, and IG Lang offered her particular thanks to Chief Assistant Christian Morris, who prosecuted this matter.
Inspector General Lang commended Investigator Lisa Lingenfelter, Digital Forensic Investigator Colin Corrado, and Investigative Auditor Brian Supple for their work on the case, under the supervision of Attorney-in-Charge for Workers’ Compensation Fraud Bryan Richmond.
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The Offices of the New York State Inspector General: Fostering confidence in New York State government by promoting integrity and transparency through oversight of covered agencies, their employees, and those doing business with the State.
To report wrongdoing, call 1-800-DO-RIGHT (367-4448) or visit ig.ny.gov.
Follow the office’s work on social media at @NewYorkStateIG
