A former New York state correction officer was sentenced after investigators found her workplace injury claims were contradicted by video evidence.
Jennifer Bardin-Lapan, who worked at Great Meadow Correctional Facility, was sentenced in Washington County Court following a felony conviction for workers’ compensation fraud.
Authorities said Bardin-Lapan falsely claimed she suffered injuries during a use-of-force incident in November 2022. She reported injuries to her back, knee and groin and later received treatment from multiple providers.
Investigators found inconsistencies in her accounts and obtained video evidence that showed no fall, physical trauma or contact consistent with the reported injuries.
Before her benefits were suspended, Bardin-Lapan received $69,874.48 in workers’ compensation and related payments.
As part of her sentence, she paid $24,000 in restitution and must pay an additional $16,000 within 90 days, for a total of $40,000. She was also sentenced to three years of probation and permanently forfeited any future workers’ compensation benefits related to the claim.
“Lying to receive workers’ compensation is a crime that undermines necessary protections intended for workers who are genuinely injured on the job,” said New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang. “In addition to undermining public trust and diverting taxpayer dollars from those who truly need assistance, for this corrections officer, charged with keeping New York’s prisons safe, it is all the more unconscionable. Fraud against public programs will be uncovered and prosecuted.”
The case was investigated by the Offices of the New York State Inspector General in coordination with the Washington County District Attorney’s Office.
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