Carol-Lisa Gutman, a 62-year-old resident of Delmar, New York, was meted out a 22-month prison sentence today after being convicted earlier this year of an elaborate 15-year fraud scheme. The jury found Gutman guilty of obtaining nearly $429,000 in federal disability benefits under false pretenses.
United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Eileen Neff, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area for the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, announced the sentence following a six-day trial in Albany, presided over by Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr.
In June, Gutman was convicted on five counts of wire fraud, two counts of federal employees’ compensation fraud, and one count of theft of government money. In addition to her prison term, she was ordered to pay $429,677.93 in restitution to the United States Department of Labor.
According to trial evidence, Gutman began receiving federal workers’ compensation benefits in 1987, falsely claiming a disabling back injury sustained while working for the United States Postal Service. She reported being housebound and incapable of substantial bending, lifting, or carrying, as well as spending 15 hours daily in a hot tub for relief from her back pain. Yet, video evidence contradicted these claims.
The trial included footage of Gutman performing yard work such as raking leaves, mowing the lawn, and carrying heavy pails, all while collecting workers’ compensation benefits she was not entitled to from September 2001 to April 2016.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael F. Perry.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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