Opposing Statements | New York | Disability Fraud

Marc Silverman, former captain with the New York City Department of Correction (NYC DOC), applied for Social Security disability benefits in 2020, claiming that injuries from his job had rendered him unable to work. However, despite his claims of being unable to work due to job-related injuries when he applied for Social Security disability benefits, he simultaneously submitted paperwork to the New York State Department of Education that affirmed his physical capability to work, an essential requirement in order to be licensed as a bus driver. The paperwork for both the disability claim and the job affirmation could have literally passed paths on their way to committing fraud.

Silverman worked for NYC DOC from 1990 to 2016, when he retired from the department. Just one year later, in 2017, Silverman began working for Vinny’s Bus Service as a special education bus driver, which required that he annually submit paperwork to the State Department of Education affirming he was physically able to drive. In 2021, the Social Security Administration (SSA) approved Silverman’s application for disability benefits, unaware of Silverman’s bus driver work and his affirmations of total physical health to Vinny’s Bus Service. He ultimately received approximately $212,000 from SSA based on his false representation that he was disabled and unable to work.

On July 17, 2025, Silverman pleaded guilty to one count of Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree and one count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, both class E felonies.

The case was investigated for the Office of the Attorney General in this case.

Today’s Fraud of The Day is based on article “Former NYC correction captain convicted of $212K Social Security fraud, AG James announced” published by CBS Albany News on July 17, 2025.

Marc Silverman Jr., a 57-year-old former captain with the New York City Department of Correction, has been arrested and convicted for fraudulently collecting over $200,000 in Social Security benefits. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the conviction, revealing that Silverman falsely claimed he was disabled to receive benefits while working full-time as a special education bus driver.

Silverman, who worked for the NYC DOC from 1990 to 2016, began working for Vinny’s Bus Service in 2017. Despite claiming disability, he submitted annual paperwork to the New York State Department of Education affirming his physical capability to work as a bus driver.