Dozens of US former emergency service workers have been arrested in a sweeping fraud investigation involving federal disability benefits, New York authorities say.
Prosecutors say 72 police officers, eight firefighters and five corrections officers are among those charged.
Some reportedly falsely claimed disabling conditions arising from the 11 September 2001 attacks.
The fraud is believed to have cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
"The brazenness is shocking," Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance said on Tuesday.
"Many participants cynically manufactured claims of mental illness as a result of September 11, dishonoring the first responders who did serve their city at the expense of their own health and safety," he added.
Incriminating photos Four men, including a retired police officer and a disability consultant with a New York detective's union, appeared in court on Tuesday on grand larceny charges.
The defendants, allegedly the ringleaders of the fraud operation, were released on bail of up to $1m (£609,690).
Those men stand accused of coaching the former emergency workers on how to feign mental health problems and fail memory tests in an effort to draw disability benefits, collecting tens of thousands of dollars in kickbacks.
One retired police officer told doctors he suffered panic attacks and was unable to leave his house - only to post photographs of himself on social media riding a jet ski.
Another retired policeman collected a disability pension for a neck injury - and then went on to open a martial arts studio
Yet another, who claimed he was incapable of social interaction, was found to be running a cannoli stand at a street festival.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canad...
Photo from Facebook page of Glenn Lieberman, who is accused of participating in a
Social Security disability scam to the tune of $175,758.40 according to the Manhattan DA's office.
NYPD retiree Richard Cosentino felt good enough for marlin fishing in Costa Rica.
Not to smart they were stupid enough to share their "fun" on Facebook
John Stefanowski, an ex-cop, loves golf.
Civilian worker Joseph Morrone (center) helps dish cannolis at the San Gennaro festival.
John Famularo, an ex-Finest and motorcycle enthusiast, is accused of taking more than $340,000 in the scam.
Surveillance photo shows Darrin Lamantia, a cop who retired on a disability claim, playing basketball.
Peter Martin, who also participated in the scam, leaves his court arraignment.
Michael Scialabba (right), a former NYPD undercover officer, leaves Manhattan Supreme Court after his arraignment on with his lawyer. He is one of dozens accused in the Social Security scam.
Louis Hurtado worked as a martial arts instructor while collecting $470,395 from Social Security
LOL and these guys have pulled vehicles over, smfh
Hopefully this is the first step in a greater investigation. SSI is so swamped with fraud it's unreal. Your tax dollars hard at work
The probably said to themselves why not get paid on a scam the people behind 9/11 fooled so many so.......
