County Corrections Officer Stole 100K In State Health Benefits: DA

MINEOLA, NY — A Nassau County corrections officer was charged with grand larceny for stealing more than $100,000 from the New York State Empire Plan (NYSHIP) health insurance benefits, prosecutors said.

Christopher Kowalewski, 49, of Merrick, was arraigned on Monday on one count of second-degree grand larceny. He pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance.

"Public servants are entrusted with doing the right thing, and when they take advantage of the system for personal gain, it hurts everyone," said Donnelly. "This correction officer allegedly stole more than $100,000 in health insurance payments meant to pay his estranged wife’s medical bills."

In following with normal NYSHIP practice, checks for out-of-network providers were made payable to Kowalewski, who was the policy holder, and mailed to him after his estranged wife underwent back surgery on March 2, 2022. The checks should have then been forwarded to the service providers, Donnelly said.

Kowalewski allegedly received 11 checks from United Healthcare, the administrator of the Empire Plan, between December 2021 and December 2023 for services rendered to his wife totaling $110,096.

The checks ranged from $92,488 to $147, prosecutors said.

Records obtained during the investigation revealed that nine of the checks were deposited into a joint bank account held in Kowalewski's name and another person. The other two checks were cashed, the D.A.'s office said.

According to financial records, he allegedly spent the stolen funds on personal expenses.

Between August 15, 2022, when the $92,488 check was deposited into the defendant’s bank account, and November 15, 2022, Kowalewski allegedly withdrew $75,600 in cash, Donnelly said.

“The mission of the Office of the Inspector General is to detect and deter fraud, waste, and abuse in Nassau County government. As this case illustrates, our office takes seriously allegations of fraudulent conduct by County employees,” said Nassau County Inspector General Jodi Franzese.

He is due back in court on March 3. If convicted, Kowalewski faces up to 15 years in prison.