WALLKILL, N.Y. – Five correction officers in Ulster County were arrested following an 18-month investigation into workers’ compensation abuses, announced Thursday by the New York State Police and State Inspector General’s Office.
The officers allegedly submitted false medical documents or engaged in prohibited employment while collecting salaries at Ulster and Wallkill Correctional Facilities. Those charged include Christine Donovan, 41; Jeremy LaChance, 42; Ashli Paulino, 36; Brian Porter, 49; and Anthony Tacti, 34.
Ulster County District Attorney Emmanuel Nneji emphasized the severity of the case, stating, “The fact that these schemes were perpetuated by sworn public officers, entrusted with maintaining safety, makes this conduct particularly egregious.”
Investigators said three officers submitted fraudulent “Documentation for Workers’ Compensation Leave” (DWCL) forms for doctor visits that never occurred. One officer falsely claimed a disability while working as a state-funded home health aide, and another submitted over 20 forged sick leave notes over two years.
Alleged Charges Include:
Christine Donovan: Two forged out-of-work notes; $5,938.44 in fraudulent benefits. Charges: Third-degree Grand Larceny, two counts of First-degree Offering a False Instrument.
Jeremy LaChance: 22 forged medical notes, one note for minor care; $3,021.13 in benefits. Charges: Third-degree Grand Larceny, two counts of Offering a False Instrument.
Ashli Paulino: Two forged DWCL forms; $1,719 in benefits. Charges: Fourth-degree Grand Larceny, two counts of Offering a False Instrument.
Brian Porter: One forged DWCL form; $1,053.74 in benefits. Charges: Fourth-degree Grand Larceny, Offering a False Instrument.
Anthony Tacti: Falsely claimed disability while working as a home health aide; $4,700 in CDPAP wages and $4,281 in fraudulent benefits. Charges: Third-degree Grand Larceny, Fraudulent Practices, Third-degree Insurance Fraud, Health Care Fraud.
According to the Inspector General, Tacti and LaChance remain employed by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Donovan and Porter were terminated, and Paulino resigned.
Inspector General Lang noted, “These crimes erode trust in government, worsen staffing shortages, and jeopardize the safety of staff and incarcerated individuals.”
Donovan, LaChance, and Tacti were arraigned and released on their own recognizance, while Paulino and Porter received desk appearance tickets and will be arraigned later.
