Ex-NYPD sergeant, 55, is charged for lying about being at World Trade Center recovery effort while pregnant so she could get benefits from 9/11 fund to pay for her meds

A former New York Police Department sergeant was charged Thursday with lying to cheat a fund set up to help victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks

Sally Spinosa awaited an initial appearance in Manhattan federal court after her arrest on charges of submitting false claims, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The last charge carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence.

The 55-year-old Freehold, New Jersey, resident falsely claimed to have worked hundreds of hours from September 2001 and June 2002 in the recovery effort after the attacks, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of New York. 

Spinosa served as an NYPD officer from July 1986 until July 2019. Federal authorities said she was a sergeant assigned to the police department's investigations unit on Staten Island in September 2001 when she claimed long hours working at the Fresh Kills Landfill there.

Sally Spinosa, 55, falsely claimed to have worked hundreds of hours from September 2001 and June 2002 in the recovery effort after the 9/11 attack

The 55-year-old Freehold, New Jersey, resident awaited an initial appearance in Manhattan federal court after her arrest on charges of submitting false claims, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The last charge carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence.

She falsely claimed to have worked two hours a day for 62 straight days from Sept. 20, 2001, to November 20, 2001, at the landfill even though she was pregnant and doing limited work away from offices or was on parental leave, authorities said. 

According to complaint documents, Spinosa had been placed on limited duty on August 24, 2001, until around December 25, 2001. Spinosa gave birth in Feb. 2002, but was on leave from December 26, 2001, to around April 22, 2002.

Prosecutors said Spinosa submitted an affidavit purportedly signed by one of her supervisors to support her application for reimbursement from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund , but the supervisor never signed the document.

The fund created by Congress provided money for victims of the attacks including those who suffered physical harm during debris removal or recovery efforts.

Spinosa's VCF claim was denied in 2014 but she reapplied in 2017 and in 2018 with the same fraudulent information, the release states. In 2017, the World Trade Center Health Program granted her benefits and has since paid for medical visits and prescription drugs for Spinosa. 

She falsely claimed to have worked two hours a day for 62 straight days from Sept. 20, 2001, to November 20, 2001, at the landfill even though she was pregnant and doing limited work away from offices or was on parental leave, authorities said

Anthony DiFiore, an attorney representing Spinosa, declined comment.

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a release that Spinosa 'exploited her position by brazenly - and falsely - claiming to have worked hundreds of hours in the recovery effort.' 

'After the September 11 attacks on New York City, the brave men and women of the NYPD risked their lives and safety to rebuild the City. As alleged, former NYPD sergeant Sally Spinosa exploited her position by brazenly – and falsely – claiming to have worked hundreds of hours in the recovery effort,' acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said in the release.

'When law enforcement officers break the laws they are sworn to uphold, they do a disservice to their fellow officers, to the departments that employ them, and to the public they serve. My Office will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to uncover and prosecute such conduct.' 

The sentiment was shared by NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea, who added: 'There is no place in the NYPD for criminal behavior. I commend Deputy Commissioner Joseph Reznick and Internal Affairs officers for their thorough investigation, in partnership with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District, and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.'