ALBANY – A Catskill man was sentenced in Federal Court on Friday
to four years and nine months in federal prison after a jury found him
guilty last October of fraudulently obtaining federal and state disability
benefits.
John Caltabiano, Jr., 49, was found guilty along with co-defendant Colleen McCarten, of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, five counts of mail fraud, and theft of government property.
Between April 2008 and October 2010, the two conspired to steal Social Security Disability and Workers’ Compensation benefits by falsely representing to the Social Security Administration, the state Workers’ Compensation Board, and Travelers Insurance, that an on-the-job injury had left Caltabiano almost completely blind.
In reality, it was pointed out at trial with videos taken during the investigation that he was able to drive, shop, go to the gym, and otherwise move around without the assistance that a blind person would need.
McCarten is scheduled to be sentenced next week.
