Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
Todd Faustin, a former correction officer at Rikers Island, pled guilty on March 17 to making false statements related to healthcare matters in connection with use of force incidents at the facility. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman, according to an announcement by United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton.
The case highlights concerns about fraudulent claims within the workers’ compensation system and their impact on public resources. Faustin admitted to falsely claiming injuries sustained during incidents involving incarcerated individuals that required the use of force, resulting in his receipt of at least $370,336.79 in benefits he was not entitled to.
“Todd Faustin fraudulently received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the City of New York by faking injuries after some of the most delicate and dangerous interactions within our criminal justice system—incidents where force is used against an incarcerated person,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “False workers’ compensation claims place a large cost on all New Yorkers. It’s even worse when the perpetrator is a City employee. The vast majority of our correction officers do a tough job well and honestly. Faustin is not one of them.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, Faustin was employed by the New York City Department of Correction for several years and assigned to work at Rikers Island. The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board administers benefits for employees injured on duty, with payments made from the New York City Treasury.
Faustin’s resignation from the Department of Correction became effective March 17, 2026. He pled guilty to one count of making false statements related to health care matters, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison as prescribed by Congress; sentencing will be determined by the judge.
Clayton praised the efforts of investigative agencies involved in bringing this case forward, including the New York City Department of Investigation and other law enforcement partners. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaiya Arroyo and Stephanie Simon from both the Civil Rights and Human Trafficking Unit and Public Corruption Unit.
Faustin is scheduled for sentencing on July 7, 2026.
