NEW YORK, N.Y., May 3 – NYSIFs Division of Confidential Investigations, working with the New York State Insurance Frauds Bureau, has provided information that has led to the arrest of two upstate residents, who are being charged with insurance fraud.

Cecillia Castellanos, of Monticello, suffered an injury in July 2003 and began collecting wage replacement benefits from NYSIF shortly thereafter, NYSIF reported. She filed documents with NYSIF claiming she was totally disabled and unable to work, but, NYSIF asserted, a follow-up investigation revealed that Ms. Castellanos had, in fact, returned to work at a different location and failed to notify NYSIF. In addition, it is alleged that she lied under oath in March 2006 during hearings held on her claim at the Workers Compensation Board.

Gerald Wicks, of Binghamton, was arrested on May 1 and charged with perjury, offering a false instrument for filing, and a violation of section 114 of the Workers Compensation Law, according to NYSIF. Investigators said the claimant allegedly was employed while claiming that he was unable to work due to injuries sustained in a work-related accident in September 2004.