NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A Rikers Island correction officer pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges on Tuesday after abusing sick leave to skip out on work.
Eduardo Trinidad, 42, collected more than $140,000 while lying about his inability to sit, run or lift anything for more than a year. All the while, he posted pictures on social media bowling, doing laborious home improvement projects and traveling.
He’s the third correction officer to plead guilty to abusing sick leave at the prison after an investigation was launched into chronic absenteeism that debilitated the prison and put inmates at risk.
While only nine correction officers were charged, hundreds abused sick leave at the height of the coronavirus pandemic as remaining staff failed to maintain humane conditions in the prison.
At some points, more than a third of Rikers corrections officers were absent.
The staffing crisis resulted in dangerous conditions at the prison, including a failure to follow rape prevention protocols.
Trinidad would wear a sling and a boot to checkups at Rikers to maintain his ruse.
Another of the officers who pleaded guilty was Trinidad’s fiancée Monica Coaxum.
“Yes at home still getting paid, unlimited sick baby. Get like me! Living my best life,” wrote Coaxum on social media.
The couple took vacations to Florida, the Dominican Republic and West Virginia while on leave.
Trinidad could face between 10 months and 10 years in prison for the fraud. He’ll also have to pay more than $119,000 in restitution.
He’s slated for sentencing July 11.
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