New Hyde Park Woman Pleads Guilty in LIRR Disability Scam

A New Hyde Park woman allegedly involved in the Long Island Rail Road disability fraud conspiracy has entered a guilty plea in Federal court.

Regina Walsh, 64, the former director of employee services, entered a plea of guilty in Manhattan Federal court on Friday according to officials in Manhattan Federal court and the United States District Attorney’s Office. Her plea joins 15 other defendants who have entered guilty pleas in the case out of 32 total defendants charged.

In the scheme, LIRR retirees were allegedly helped in preparing medical stories by doctors to obtain disability claims that could have cost more than $1 billion to the federal railroad retirement board.

Walsh allegedly falsely stated on a 2007 claim that sitting at a desk caused her pain in her neck, shoulder and hand and pain in her legs when standing for more than five minutes. Reportedly, surveillance video shows her shoveling snow in excess of an hour and pushing a stroller for over 40 minutes.

As part of her plea, Walsh admitted her claim was false and agreed to pay back $55,364. She faces up to five years in prison if convicted. She is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 11, 2013. Walsh is scheduled to be sentenced on May 13, 2013.

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