Edmond Anadio, aged 64, of Gloversville, New York, was arrested on charges of falsely claiming disability benefits. Anadio is alleged to have stolen almost $85,000 in benefits between 2021 and 2024 by claiming he was disabled, while in fact he was working full time for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Albany. Anadio took early retirement from the Department of Veterans Affairs earlier this year.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III; Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge, Boston / New York Field Division, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG); and Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge, Northeast Field Office, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General (VA-OIG), made the announcement.
The U.S. Marshals Service effected Anadio’s arrest and brought him to the federal courthouse in Albany. Anadio was arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Paul J. Evangelista yesterday afternoon and was released pending further proceedings.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “Edmond Anadio had a position of public trust and was well compensated for it — he worked for the VA earning over $100,000 a year. But that wasn’t enough, and he also pocketed up to $30,000 a year in disability benefits. My office has no tolerance for anyone who steals public money, let alone while also taking a paycheck from the taxpayer. We are glad he is no longer working for the VA and are prosecuting this case vigorously.”
Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge, Boston / New York Field Division, SSA-OIG, said: “We appreciate the assistance from our partners at the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office during this significant Social Security disability fraud investigation. Federal employees are held to a higher standard of integrity and Edmond Anadio violated that standard. Our office will continue to work with other law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to protect the Social Security trust funds for those who truly deserve them.”
Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge, Northeast Field Office, VA-OIG, said: “This indictment sends a clear message that VA-OIG will diligently investigate those who would misuse their positions of public trust to commit fraud. VA-OIG appreciates the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office throughout this investigation and will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to hold wrongdoers accountable”
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The charge of submitting a false application for disability benefits carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison, a term of supervised release of up to 3 years, and a maximum fine of $250,000. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
