Former Rikers Correction Officer Admits to False Statement in Workers’ Compensation Case

Former Correction Officer Pleads Guilty to Workers’ Compensation Fraud Worth $370,000

A 43-year-old former New York City Department of Correction officer from Coram has pleaded guilty to making false statements in connection with fraudulent workers’ compensation claims, according to an announcement Tuesday by the state’s Department of Investigation.

Todd Faustin admitted to falsifying healthcare-related statements and has agreed to pay both restitution and forfeiture totaling over $740,000 – with each payment amounting to $370,336.79, officials confirmed.

According to investigators, Faustin, who had been employed by the corrections department since December 2011, repeatedly filed fraudulent claims alleging on-the-job injuries at Rikers Island. He falsely reported being injured during incidents involving inmates that required use of force, enabling him to collect substantial benefits he wasn’t entitled to receive.

The investigation into Faustin began after several city agencies, including the Law Department, reported concerns about excessive workers’ compensation claims involving correction officers. This eventually led to his suspension in May 2025 in connection with the investigation.

Faustin subsequently submitted his resignation letter, effective March 17, 2026. At the time of his resignation, his annual salary was approximately $109,350, officials noted.

The case highlights growing concerns about fraud within New York’s workers’ compensation system, which is designed to guarantee medical care and cash benefits to workers legitimately injured on the job. The system is particularly important for correction officers, who work in high-risk environments like Rikers Island, which has long been plagued by violence and dangerous conditions.

Payments made by the Worker’s Compensation Board to correction employees come directly from the city’s treasury, meaning taxpayer dollars are used to fund these benefits. The fraudulent claims made by Faustin therefore represent a direct misappropriation of public funds.

Acting Commissioner Christopher Ryan emphasized the seriousness of abusing the workers’ compensation system, stating, “Today’s guilty plea holds this DOC officer accountable for abusing a vital system intended to protect City workers.” He thanked the Law Department for referring concerns to the Department of Investigation and acknowledged the assistance provided during the investigation.

State Inspector General Lucy Lang offered a stern assessment of Faustin’s actions, noting that “exploitation of the workers’ compensation system – especially for a public servant who has sworn an oath to our community – both corrodes public integrity and siphons critical resources away from the honest workers the system exists to protect.”

To address vulnerabilities in the system and prevent similar fraud in the future, the Department of Investigation issued a report in May 2025 recommending reforms to the correction department’s and the city Law Department’s policies and procedures.

The investigation was conducted jointly by the Department of Investigation, the United States Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York, which is handling prosecution of the case, and the New York State Inspector General’s office. This collaborative approach underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating workers’ compensation fraud among public employees.

Faustin is scheduled to be sentenced on July 7. Attempts to reach his attorney, Justin Alexander Jackson of Manhattan, for comment were unsuccessful.

The case comes amid broader scrutiny of operations at Rikers Island, which has faced ongoing criticism over conditions, staffing issues, and oversight concerns. Workers’ compensation fraud adds another layer of complexity to the challenges facing the correctional facility and the city’s Department of Correction.