LI cop arrested for collecting disability

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LI cop arrested for collecting disability while working as fireman

Wednesday July 20, 2005

LI cop arrested for collecting disability while working as fireman

YAPHANK, N.Y. (AP) A Suffolk County police officer was arrested for allegedly collecting $250-thousand dollars in disability pay while working as a volunteer for the Bethpage Fire Department -- where he recently was made chief.

Michael Forman, a 13-year veteran of the Suffolk police force, has been out on disability since April 2003, when he suffered a wrist injury in the line of duty.

Forman was charged today with grand larceny and fraud for allegedly working as a volunteer fireman responding to hundreds of emergency calls and collecting his full police salary while telling the police department he couldn't work because of his disability.

He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Suffolk County court and was released.

Suffolk District Attorney Thomas Spota said Forman claimed he was unable to perform his duties as a Third Precinct police officer, which included driving.

Forman, who was appointed Bethpage fire chief last January, also was allegedly videotaped by investigators sawing down trees at his home during his leave.

The Bethpage Fire Department covers about 8-thousand homes in an area of 7.8 square miles. It answered more than 15-hundred calls last year, according to its Web site, which features a picture of Forman in his fire chief's uniform.