NEW YORK (PIX11) – Details are still surfacing after authorities busted a massive disability pension scam involving dozens of suspects including several ex-NYPD cops and FDNY firefighters.
According to officials, most of those charged implicated themselves after posting about their care-free and lavish lives on social media.
One of the accused even appeared in PIX11 segment, which was ultimately submitted as evidence in the case.
Ex-NYPD police officer Joseph Morrone gave a light-hearted television interview with PIX11’s Andrew Ramos at the San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy in September 2013.
Morrone’s appearance caught the attention of authorities after it was discovered that the NYPD retiree had collected disability checks that amounted to nearly $110,000 where he reportedly claimed he had a fear of being around large crowds and therefore could no longer work.
The 60-year-old who pleaded not guilty to the charges, was released without bail. The investigation is still ongoing.
The ex-cop is one in a long line of accused who have unthinkingly implicated themselves to authorities.
Take Texas man Rolando Lozano. After Rosenberg Police posted on their Facebook book page that they were actively looking for the accused burglar, Lozano commented on their post.
“I’m innocent. Catch me if you can,” he commented among other things.
Police officers arrested the man about 5 minutes later.
20-year-old Michael Baker thought he would get a ton of ‘likes’ if he posted a photo of himself siphoning gas from a Kentucky police officer.
Not sure if he got the Facebook love he wanted but he most definitely got arrested soon after.
In Arkansas, Larry Barnett is probably wishing he took that crash course in cell phone etiquette.
The 68-year-old was arrested and charged after he accidentally butt-dialed his intended victim, revealing in a 90-minute conversation his plans to murder the man.
And when it comes to clueless, a shoplifting California duo takes the cake.
Matthew and Laura Eaton appeared on Dr. Phil’s nationally syndicated talk show where they bragged about having made over $100,000 selling shoplifted toys on Ebay.
After the now-infamous appearance, the couple was arrested and later convicted, sentenced to 27 months in jail.
