After claiming a work accident left him blind and unable to function independently, 49-year old John Caltabiano was caught driving and reading. In his disability application, the New York resident claimed he was unable to “drive, cook for himself, exercise at the gym, move around his house or even shave without help” after an accident at a cement company in 2006.
Caltabiano was led by his girlfriend into his disability hearing last fall, oblivious to the fact that he had been captured on video appearing to read a few days earlier. Adding insult to injury, investigators also had footage of him driving; cognizant enough to even brake in time to avoid hitting pedestrians. His chivalry also worked against him as he was seen holding the door open for someone; unlikely behavior for a blind person.
The investigation concluded that Caltabiano had indeed lost sight in one eye in a workplace accident, but the other eye was unaffected. He was on track to collect $1.3 million in benefits. Both he and his girlfriend were found guilty of fraud with him receiving a prison sentence and her being placed on probation. Disability benefit fraud is a major issue with $225 million returned to taxpayers as a result of fraud investigations just last year. Better think twice before grabbing that neck brace or cane.
