NY Post – by Rebecca Rosenberg and Lia Eustachewich
Another ringleader of the widescale, multimillion-dollar Social Security disability scam copped a plea deal Friday that could involve testifying against his co-defendants.
Retired NYPD officer John Minvera, 62, pleaded guilty to grand larceny and conspiracy charges in Manhattan Supreme Court for his role in recruiting dozens of retired FDNY and NYPD officers — some who claimed to be sick from working at Ground Zero — in the 26 year-long disability scheme.
He will be allowed to plead to a lesser grand larceny charge at a later date, so long as he abides by the terms of the deal, which includes cooperating with prosecutors, according to Judge Daniel FitzGerald.
“If you cooperate fully, 100 percent with anything the DA wants — this could include testifying at trial — you will be permitted to replead” to the lesser charge, which carries a sentence of one to three years, FitzGerald said.
The judge also warned that if he doesn’t cooperate, he could face up to 25 years behind bars.
Minerva was also ordered to pay $315,000 in restitution, a far cry from the nearly $400 million the scam was estimated to have raked in.
Ninety-one of the more than 120 charged in the scheme have pleaded guilty — including another mastermind, Joseph Esposito, who received a similar deal for his role in coaching applicants in lying on their applications. Another 38 cases are still pending, authorities said.
Last month, prosecutors dropped charges against eight men who were found to have actual disabilities.
Minerva, who sports a black pompadour and Elvis-esque sideburns, had no comment as he dashed out of court.
His attorney Glenn Hardy called the deal an “excellent resolution” given Minerva’s circumstances at home.
“He’s 62, a retired cop and his wife has MS [multiple sclerosis],” said Hardy. “He takes things day by day and takes care of her as a good husband should. It’s difficult, it’s very difficult.”
http://nypost.com/2014/09/12/another-ringleader-in-fdny-nypd-disability-scam-pleads-guilty/