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. According to prosecutors, Faustin fraudulently received over $370,000 from the City of New York by falsely claiming injuries after incidents involving force against incarcerated individuals.
“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.”
Faustin had been employed by the New York City Department of Correction for several years and was assigned to work at Rikers Island during that time. His resignation from the department became effective on March 17, 2026.
Faustin 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 is scheduled for July 7, 2026; however, any final sentence will be determined by the judge.
Jay Clayton praised the efforts of multiple agencies involved in investigating and prosecuting this case, including the New York City Department of Investigation and the New York State Office of Inspector General.
