New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang announced the guilty plea and sentencing of Lydia Parise, of Suffolk County, NY, who fraudulently collected over $109,000 in workers’ compensation benefits.
An investigation by the Offices of the Inspector General (OIG), which includes the New York State Workers’ Compensation Fraud Inspector General (WCFIG), determined that after her husband‘s death in 2018, Lydia Parise continued to deposit his workers’ compensation benefit checks into their joint account. From 2018 through 2021, she signed his name on more than 80 checks and deposited them in her personal accounts, unlawfully collecting $109,263.44 in benefits.
Following an arrest by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Parise was charged with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, Identity Theft in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, and related charges.
On February 21, 2025, Parise pleaded guilty to Petit Larceny under Penal Law §155.25. In connection with her plea, Parise paid full restitution of $109,263.44 and was sentenced to one year of probation and community service. Upon successful completion of her sentence, Parise will be permitted to withdraw her misdemeanor plea and plead guilty to the violation level offense of Disorderly Conduct.
“Workers’ Compensation benefits are a financial lifeline for injured workers and their families, and fraud of this nature jeopardizes the integrity of the system,” said New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang. “The return of more than $109,000 in stolen funds to the taxpayers of New York State helps protect the financial stability of the Workers’ Compensation System and reinforces our unwavering commitment to holding accountable those who seek to defraud it.”
Inspector General Lang expressed her appreciation to the OIG team responsible for handling the investigation, including Investigative Counsel Erin Gise and Investigators Matthew Avellino and Mario Rubino, under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General Jean Carsey and Attorney-in-Charge for Workers’ Compensation Fraud Bryan Richmond.
Inspector General Lang also extended her thanks to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office for their partnership and prosecution of this case.
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