BROOKLYN, NY – A federal complaint was unsealed today against James Internicola, a New York City Department of Correction (DOC) officer, accusing him of federal program fraud. Internicola was taken into custody this morning and will appear before United States Magistrate Judge Marcia M. Henry this afternoon.
Having served as a correction officer since 1996, Internicola has been overseeing recycling operations at Rikers Island since 2019. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James Smith of the FBI’s New York Field Office, and Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), jointly announced the charges.
United States Attorney Peace stated, “Internicola allegedly defrauded New York City and the DOC by falsely reporting hours and overtime. Instead of being on duty, he was often elsewhere, including on vacation.”
The FBI’s Smith emphasized the bureau’s commitment to holding accountable those who deceive the public, saying, “Fraud by law enforcement officers tarnishes the entire profession.”
DOI Commissioner Strauber provided details about Internicola’s alleged actions, explaining that he purportedly “stole over $171,000 by misrepresenting his hours, including when he was in Aruba, the Jersey Shore, or at his Staten Island residence. His false timesheets reportedly account for 2,250 hours he did not work.”
Evidence presented in the complaint suggests that from July 2021 to January 2023, Internicola dishonestly claimed over 2,250 hours, netting him more than $171,000 in unearned salary and overtime. Data from license plate readers, toll records, and cell site location information reportedly indicate frequent discrepancies in Internicola’s claimed work hours.
Internicola, 56, from Staten Island, NY, is facing allegations at this time and is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.