Sing Sing Guard Accused Of Faking Workers Comp Claims

A Sing Sing Correctional Facility correction officer is accused of filing fake workers compensation claims, New York State Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro and Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. announced.

They alleged that Darquis Wright, 39, of Staten Island submitted fake medical documentation over the course of 16 months to obtain more than 100 days in Workers’ Compensation leave and at least $16,000 in wages.

"He brazenly kept up his scheme for more than a year and illegally obtained more than 3 months’ worth of leave from his job," said Tagliafierro. "He will now pay for his crimes."

Wright was arraigned Tuesday in Ossining Town Court before Hon. Michael Tawil on nine counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the 1st Degree (E Felony).

If injured on the job, New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) employees may go on leave and collect Workers’ Compensation benefits by submitting appropriate medical documentation to their facility and the Workers’ Compensation Board on an ongoing basis.

Between March 2018 and September 2019, Wright claimed multiple separate injuries while on duty and submitted applications for Workers’ Compensation leave benefits. The injuries included:

• Left shoulder and lower back on March 24, 2018
• Right hand and right wrist on Feb. 12, 2019
• Right knee, back, right hand and left shoulder on Aug. 4, 2019

To support the claims, Wright repeatedly submitted medical documentation to Sing Sing purportedly from a Staten Island-based orthopedic surgeon and another Staten Island-based physician.

Prosecutors said the documentation falsely stated, based upon medical examinations allegedly performed by the physicians, that Wright was unable to work. In fact, the examinations were never performed. Both the orthopedic surgeon and the physician later confirmed to the Inspector General that the documentation was fraudulent.

“When a public employee is charged with cheating the State, especially one in law enforcement, it hurts the people of New York,” said Scarpino.

Tagliafierro thanked DOCCS for their cooperation and assistance in the matter, as well as the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. She also thanked the Westchester County District Attorney for prosecuting the case and conducting the arrest.