NY Inspector General

Oswego County Man Pleads Guilty to Insurance Fraud for Concealing Employment

Christopher Cronk, 58, of Central Square, NY, pleaded guilty in Onondaga County Court to Insurance Fraud in the Third Degree, a Class D felony, for collecting $10,494 in workers' compensation wage replacement benefits while secretly working as a painter. The NY State Workers' Compensation Fraud Inspector General investigation, using surveillance footage, witness statements, and bank records, revealed Cronk resumed paid painting work in March 2022 while certifying to his insurer he had not worked. Cronk will be sentenced at a later date.

Vanguard Construction $1.5M Deferred Prosecution Agreement for Construction Fraud

New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced a three-year deferred prosecution agreement with Vanguard Construction and Development Co., Inc., requiring forfeiture of $1.5 million, with $787,500 allocated to New York State. The company was arraigned on charges of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree for a years-long overbilling scheme between December 2017 and December 2022 involving falsified subcontractor change orders and inflated payment requests on public projects.

Former NYS Correction Officer Sentenced for Workers' Compensation Fraud

New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang announced that former correction officer Jennifer Bardin-Lapan was sentenced in Washington County Court for felony workers' compensation fraud. An IG investigation revealed that surveillance video contradicted her claimed on-the-job injuries from a 2022 use-of-force incident. She collected $69,874.48 in fraudulent benefits and was ordered to pay $40,000 restitution plus three years probation.

NY OIG Releases Biennial Report Marking 40th Anniversary

The New York State Inspector General's Office marked its 40th anniversary on January 29, 2026 with a public program at the New York State Museum and release of its Biennial Report. The Office, created by Executive Order in 1986 under Governor Mario M. Cuomo, investigates fraud and corruption in state government. Governor Kathy Hochul issued a gubernatorial citation honoring the Office's four decades of service promoting transparency and accountability.

Former DOCCS Correction Officer Pleads Guilty to Workers' Compensation Fraud

New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang announced the guilty plea of former DOCCS Correction Officer Jennifer Bardin-Lapan in Washington County Court to one count of felony workers' compensation fraud. Bardin-Lapan falsified claims of a workplace injury at Great Meadow Correctional Facility to collect benefits, collecting $69,874.48 before benefits were suspended. As part of her plea, she agreed to pay $40,000 in restitution and permanently waived future workers' compensation rights.