Minerva pleads guilty to Social Security scheme

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John Minerva, a Malverne resident and a retired New York City police officer, pleaded guilty on Sept. 12 to taking part in a huge Social Security scheme that helped numerous former police officers, firefighters and others receive disability benefits based on fraudulent claims connected to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Minerva, who prosecutors said was one of four men involved, agreed to testify against his former partners in return for a reduced sentence, and will pay $315,000 in restitution.

According to prosecutors, the men helped numerous applicants file claims that they were suffering from a variety of mental illnesses due to their work in the aftermath of 9/11. The men taught applicants how to fake post-traumatic stress and directed them to doctors who would create falsified medical histories, prosecutors said, adding that the men collected more than $28,000 from each of the recipients once claims started being paid.

If Minerva’s cooperation in the case is deemed satisfactory to prosecutors, he will be permitted to withdraw his guilty plea, plead to a lesser charge and serve no more than three years in prison. If he fails to cooperate fully, he will face up to 25 years in prison.

Glenn Hardy, Minerva’s attorney, could not be reached for comment as the Herald went to press on Monday. Minerva, who will remain free on bail until he is sentenced, declined to comment.