Rikers Island Officers Face Fraud Charges Over Fake Sick Leave: Feds

QUEENS – Three Rikers Island correction officers face federal fraud charges over accusations that they pretended to be sick for more than a year while collecting their pay, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Thursday.

Steven Cange, Monica Coaxum and Eduardo Trinidad stand accused of faking illnesses by submitting false medical documentation between 2021 and their Thursday arrests, federal prosecutors said.

“These correction officers abandoned their oath to protect inmates and put the safety of their fellow correction officers at risk,” stated U.S. Attorney Breon Peace.

Cange, 49, claimed more than $160,000 in salary during his sick leave that began in March 2021, federal prosecutors said.

Coaxum, 36, received more than $80,000 in salary from March 2021 to May 2022 during her sick leave, prosecutors contend.

Trinidad, Coaxum’s husband, received more than $140,000 in salary by pretending to be ill from June 2021 to November 2022, said prosecutors.

According to the complaint, evidence against Coazum — who said she suffered from a painful knee injury after a car crash and a fall — includes video of her dancing at a party on Dec. 19, 2021.

About a month later, Coaxum received a WhatsApp message that said, “Monica you living your best life but scamming your job," according to the complaint.

“Yes at home still getting paid, unlimited sick baby," Coaxum replied, the complaint contends. "Get like me! Living my best life.”

These charges come as Rikers Island faces a "humanitarian crisis" spurred in part by mass absenteeism among correction officers.

This year alone, 18 people detained on Rikers Island have died, Patch reported earlier this month.