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Former Rikers Island Correction Officer Pleads Guilty to Healthcare Fraud
A former New York City correction officer has admitted to defrauding the city of more than $370,000 by fabricating injuries allegedly sustained during use-of-force incidents at Rikers Island.
Todd Faustin, 43, of New York City, entered a guilty plea on Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman to charges of making false statements related to healthcare matters. The announcement came from United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton.
“Todd Faustin fraudulently received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the City of New York by faking injuries after some of the most delicate and dangerous interactions within our criminal justice system—incidents where force is used against an incarcerated person,” said Clayton in a statement. “False workers’ compensation claims place a large cost on all New Yorkers. It’s even worse when the perpetrator is a City employee.”
According to court documents, Faustin repeatedly falsified claims through the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board, which administers the state’s no-fault compensation system guaranteeing medical care and cash benefits to workers injured on the job. The benefits Faustin received were paid directly from the New York City Treasury.
Investigators determined that Faustin fabricated multiple injuries he claimed to have suffered during altercations with incarcerated individuals that required the use of force. The fraudulent claims resulted in payments totaling at least $370,336.79 in benefits to which he was not entitled.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about accountability and oversight within the troubled Rikers Island correctional complex, which has faced scrutiny in recent years for various allegations of misconduct, violence, and mismanagement. The sprawling jail complex, which houses thousands of detainees awaiting trial or serving shorter sentences, has been the subject of multiple reform initiatives.
Workplace fraud within public safety institutions creates particular concern among oversight bodies due to the breach of public trust. The New York City Department of Investigation and New York State Office of Inspector General collaborated on the investigation, along with Special Agents and Task Force Officers from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
The prosecution of the case is being handled jointly by the Office’s Civil Rights and Human Trafficking Unit and the Public Corruption Unit, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaiya Arroyo and Stephanie Simon leading the prosecution.
Faustin’s guilty plea coincides with his resignation from the Department of Correction, which became effective March 17, 2026. The charge carries a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison, though the actual sentence will be determined by the judge. Faustin is scheduled for sentencing on July 7, 2026.
The case underscores the financial burden that fraudulent workers’ compensation claims place on municipal budgets. While the exact timeline of Faustin’s fraud was not specified in court documents, the substantial sum suggests the deception occurred over an extended period.
Clayton emphasized in his statement that Faustin’s actions do not reflect on the majority of correction officers, noting, “The vast majority of our correction officers do a tough job well and honestly. Faustin is not one of them.”
The guilty plea represents another step in ongoing efforts to address misconduct within New York City’s correction system, which has faced numerous challenges including staffing shortages, allegations of excessive force, and deteriorating infrastructure at the aging Rikers Island facility.
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5 Comments
It’s unfortunate to see another case of workers’ compensation fraud, especially by a public servant. This highlights the need for stronger oversight and accountability measures to prevent abuse of the system.
Agreed. Fraudulent claims undermine the integrity of the workers’ comp program and end up costing taxpayers. Robust investigations and prosecutions are important to deter this kind of misconduct.
While the details are concerning, I’m glad the authorities were able to uncover and address this fraud case. It’s critical that public employees are held to high ethical standards, especially in sensitive roles like corrections.
Absolutely. Fraudulent activity by those entrusted with public safety is a serious betrayal of the public trust. Hopefully this case serves as a deterrent for others considering similar abuses.
This is a troubling example of how workers’ compensation systems can be exploited. Correction officers should be setting an example of integrity, not taking advantage of the system. Stronger controls and audits are clearly needed.