Crime Scene Detective Just Can't Take It Anymore -- Until He Can
Disgusting example of yet another public employee hoovering up disability dollars -- and then going right back into what supposedly gave him his supposed disability. Mark Lagerkvist writes at reason of former cops collecting hefty lifetime pensions thanks to bogus disability claims:
Timothy Carroll retired at age 33. He claimed he was "totally and permanently" disabled by the trauma of seeing dead bodies while working as a sheriff's officer in Morris County, New Jersey."I suffer from crime scene flashbacks and hallucinations due to all the years I served as a crime scene detective," stated Carroll in his disability application.
The real shock is Carroll then started a business that cleans up gory crime scenes, a New Jersey Watchdog investigation found. Yet the state continues to pay him a disability pension for life, a sum that could total $1 million or more.
Carroll's company, Tragic Solutions LLC of Linden, N.J., specializes in removing human residue from "bloody and/or messy" scenes, including "murder, suicide, accidental, natural and decomposing deaths," according to its website. He formed the business with Thomas Rohling, another former Morris sheriff's officer who draws a state disability pension.
"I really don't want to comment on this," Carroll told NBC 4 New York, New Jersey Watchdog's partner on the investigation.
"I really don't want to comment on this" == "I was really hoping no one would make the connection."
Right up there with fitness instructors having handicapped parking placards.
And folks I know with actual disabilities have to fight tooth and nail just to get enough to scrape by on.
DrCos at February 5, 2013 3:55 AM
The word is fraud, which is a crime. It's way past time these crimes were prosecuted, to the fullest extent of the law.
MarkD at February 5, 2013 5:03 AM
I imagine there's a pretty big difference, psychologically speaking, between seeing someone with half their face missing versus cleaning up the brain matter on the walls. So I'm willing to believe the psychological trauma is real, but doesn't interfere with his new business.
Although, if the guy can work, he shouldn't be on disability.
Elle at February 5, 2013 7:24 AM
"The word is fraud, which is a crime."
Here in Switzerland, they were far too lenient about disabilities for a long time. After a few fraud cases hit the news, they started enforcing the laws. Observing the disabled builder helping his friend build a house. Observing the woman with a strange, unidentifiable skin disease scalding herself just before each medical checkup.
As I understand it, the result of getting caught is pretty dramatic: Not only are you off of disability, but you have to repay the money plus damages. Since you don't have the money, this means that your possessions are confiscated and sold at auction, and a hefty percentage of your future income is garnished. I don't think even a personal bankruptcy can evade the wage garnishment, and I believe it also applies to any welfare checks received, down to the rock-bottom "subsistence" minimum.
Much better than putting the people in jail, where they just cost society *more* money.
bradley13 at February 5, 2013 9:08 AM
I tend to agree with Elle. By the time the cleanup crew is brought in, there is no body. It's possible he's being totally honest about his traumatic response to dead people. That said, he's not totally and permanently disabled if he can do any work. At least, common sense dictates that "totally" and "permanently" mean that a person is 100% unable to work, forever and ever, amen.
New Jersey law might be another matter. It's possible that a LEO is legally totally and permanently disabled if he can no longer do the job he was hired to do. They've got really strong unions out there making sure that public employees are set for life.
The Jingoist at February 5, 2013 9:25 AM
To be fair, he's probably not the one cleaning the scenes. Most cleaning company owners don't clean.
But yes, if you can work, you shouldn't get disability.
momof4 at February 5, 2013 11:55 AM
"As I understand it, the result of getting caught is pretty dramatic"
Man, I'd love to see harsher punishments like that here in the US.
You have to really make people suffer before they'll care enough to change. Similar reasons to why people are willing to live on the dole vs work when they get more out of the dole.
We need to actually bring back the reality that choices and actions have real consequences. Sheltering people from the actual consequences is a lot of what has had such a negative impact on society if you ask me.
Miguelitosd at February 5, 2013 2:22 PM
I was thinking the same thing as momof4. He might have the experience and background to start a company that does that work, but that doesn't mean he's the one DOING the work.
I also agree that if he can find another way to earn a living, he shouldn't be on disability.
Shannon M. Howell at February 5, 2013 7:13 PM
Just how much crime cleanup does Morris County require? I grew up there, and it was actually pretty quiet.
jefe at February 5, 2013 7:41 PM
And how much of this guys buiness is governemt contracts?
lujlp at February 6, 2013 6:07 PM
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